self-sacrifice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (C1-C2 on CEFR)Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “self-sacrifice” mean?
The act of giving up one's own interests, desires, or well-being for the benefit of others or a cause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of giving up one's own interests, desires, or well-being for the benefit of others or a cause.
Often associated with moral virtue, heroism, religious devotion, or ethical duty; can imply a significant or ultimate personal loss for a higher purpose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both variants use the term similarly.
Connotations
Generally positive in both, emphasizing moral or heroic acts.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in literary and academic contexts, but comparable overall.
Grammar
How to Use “self-sacrifice” in a Sentence
self-sacrifice for [noun/pronoun]self-sacrifice in [gerund/noun phrase]self-sacrifice of [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-sacrifice” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He sacrificed himself for the royal cause.
- They are willing to sacrifice themselves for the community.
American English
- She gave herself up to save the town.
- He opted to sacrifice himself for the team's success.
adverb
British English
- He acted self-sacrificingly throughout the ordeal.
- They worked self-sacrificingly for the common good.
American English
- She volunteered self-sacrificingly at the shelter.
- He contributed self-sacrificingly to the fund.
adjective
British English
- Her self-sacrificing nature was evident in her charity work.
- The self-sacrificing act of the firefighter was praised.
American English
- His self-sacrificing attitude helped the project succeed.
- She showed a self-sacrificing spirit during the crisis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; occasionally used in leadership or corporate ethics discussions to describe putting team or company goals above personal interests.
Academic
Common in ethics, philosophy, sociology, religious studies, and literature to analyze moral behavior, heroism, or social dynamics.
Everyday
Used in conversations about parental love, heroism, or moral acts, though less frequent in casual speech.
Technical
In psychology, refers to prosocial behavior or altruistic acts; in theology, to religious devotion or sacrifice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-sacrifice”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-sacrifice”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-sacrifice”
- Misspelling as 'self-sacrafice' or 'self-sacrifise'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'he self-sacrificed') instead of 'he made a self-sacrifice' or 'he sacrificed himself'.
- Confusing with 'self-sacrificing' (adjective) in sentence structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'self-sacrifice' is a noun. The verb form is typically 'to sacrifice oneself' or 'to make a self-sacrifice'.
Yes, in some contexts, it can imply unnecessary, foolish, or coerced sacrifice, especially in critical analyses of social or personal dynamics.
Altruism is a broader concept referring to selfless concern for others, while self-sacrifice specifically involves personal loss, risk, or giving up something valuable.
No spelling differences; pronunciation differs slightly in the vowel sound of the second syllable (British /ɪ/ vs. American /ə/), but the term is otherwise identical in usage.
The act of giving up one's own interests, desires, or well-being for the benefit of others or a cause.
Self-sacrifice is usually formal/literary in register.
Self-sacrifice: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself ˈsæk.rɪ.faɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself ˈsæk.rə.faɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the ultimate sacrifice”
- “lay down one's life”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Combine 'self' (you) and 'sacrifice' (give up) – think of sacrificing yourself for others.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-SACRIFICE IS A NOBLE GIFT; SACRIFICE IS PURIFICATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'self-sacrifice'?