altruist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, educated
Quick answer
What does “altruist” mean?
a person who cares about others' well‑being and acts to help them, often at personal cost.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a person who cares about others' well‑being and acts to help them, often at personal cost
someone motivated by unselfish concern for the welfare of others; in philosophy, a person whose ethical stance prioritises the good of others
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use the term in identical contexts.
Connotations
Slightly formal or intellectual in both varieties; can carry a positive or occasionally sceptical tone (implying impractical idealism).
Frequency
Equally low‑frequency in both varieties; more common in written discourse than in casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “altruist” in a Sentence
[be/consider/regard] + an altruistact/live as an altruistVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “altruist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (no verb form of 'altruist'; use 'act altruistically' or 'behave altruistically')
American English
- (no verb form of 'altruist'; use 'act altruistically' or 'behave altruistically')
adverb
British English
- He gave away his inheritance altruistically, without seeking recognition.
American English
- She acted altruistically, donating all the proceeds to charity.
adjective
British English
- She is known for her altruistic efforts in community fundraising.
American English
- His altruistic motives were questioned by the press.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in corporate‑social‑responsibility discussions, e.g., 'The founder was seen as an altruist who prioritised employee welfare.'
Academic
Common in ethics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology texts, e.g., 'The study compared altruists and egoists in decision‑making tasks.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; when used, it describes someone exceptionally selfless, e.g., 'She's a real altruist—always volunteering and never expecting anything back.'
Technical
Used in behavioural economics, evolutionary biology (e.g., 'kin altruist'), and moral philosophy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “altruist”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “altruist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “altruist”
- Misspelling: 'altruest', 'altriust'.
- Confusing 'altruist' (person) with 'altruism' (concept).
- Using it to describe simple politeness rather than deep, habitual selflessness.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes, it praises selflessness. However, in some contexts it can imply naivety or impractical idealism.
A philanthropist typically donates money or resources on a large scale; an altruist is anyone who acts selflessly, regardless of scale or wealth.
It is quite formal; in casual speech, people more often say 'selfless person' or 'someone who always helps others'.
No. The related adjective is 'altruistic' and the adverb is 'altruistically'. For a verb, phrases like 'act altruistically' or 'behave altruistically' are used.
a person who cares about others' well‑being and acts to help them, often at personal cost.
Altruist is usually formal, educated in register.
Altruist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæl.tru.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæl.tru.ɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specifically with 'altruist'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALL TRUE' in 'altruist' — a person who is all about true, genuine concern for others.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ALTRUIST IS A LIGHT (illuminating others' needs), A FOUNDATION (supporting others), A GIVER (opposite of a taker).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an altruist?