égoïste

Égoïste is a French adjective and noun meaning selfish. As an adjective, it describes someone who is preoccupied with their own interests and often insensitive to others’ needs. As a noun, it refers to a person who behaves in a selfish way. The term carries a negative connotation in French, and both masculine and feminine forms use the same spelling: un homme égoïste, une femme égoïste; the plural is égoïstes.

Etymology and orthography: égoïste derives from the root ego, from Latin ego (I), with the French suffix -iste. The word is written with a diaeresis on the i (ï) to indicate that the i begins a separate syllable, helping to distinguish pronunciation. This adjective form is invariable for gender, so égoïste appears in the same form for both masculine and feminine; plural adds -s.

Usage and translations: In French, égoïste is used about people or behavior and is typically more colloquial or everyday than specialized philosophical terms. The corresponding noun is l’égoïsme (selfishness). In English, closest equivalents are selfish, egoist (or egotistical for self-importance). The French term is not a direct philosophical term; for the doctrine of self-interest, French uses l’égoïsme or l’égoïsme éthique (ethical egoism).

See also: egoism, egotism, selfishness.