What does altruist mean?
An altruist is a person who acts out of genuine selfless concern for the wellbeing of others, often sacrificing their own time, comfort, or resources without expecting reward or recognition in return. The word derives from the French term altruisme, coined in the nineteenth century by philosopher Auguste Comte as part of his system of ethics, which held that living for others is the highest moral calling. Today, altruist appears frequently in discussions of psychology, ethics, charity work, and everyday kindness, describing everyone from anonymous donors and volunteers to caregivers and activists. It is generally regarded as a term of moral praise, though some thinkers debate whether truly selfless action exists at all. Related terms include altruism (the principle itself) and altruistic (describing such behavior). An altruist stands in contrast to an egoist, someone motivated primarily by self-interest.
nounA person who selflessly acts for the benefit and welfare of others, often at a cost or sacrifice to themselves, without expecting anything in return.
- A person who consistently puts the interests of others before their own, acting from genuine selflessness rather than obligation or expectation of reward.
"An incurable altruist, she spent her weekends volunteering at the shelter and never once mentioned it to anyone."
"The anonymous donor who funded the entire hospital wing was described by staff as a quiet altruist who wanted no recognition whatsoever."
"In a world that often rewards self-interest, being labeled an altruist is one of the highest compliments a person can receive."
Standard plural form; used when referring to multiple individuals who embody selfless concern for others.
"The charity was founded by a small group of altruists who wanted to make a difference in their community."
The word 'altruist' was coined by a French philosopher who believed that true happiness comes not from serving yourself, but from serving others — the exact opposite of what most people assume leads to a good life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of altruist
The word altruist traces back to the French noun altruisme, coined in the early nineteenth century by the philosopher Auguste Comte, who derived it from the Italian word altrui meaning 'others' or 'someone else.' This in turn connects to the Latin root alter, meaning 'other,' the same root behind English words like alternate and alteration. English adopted both altruism and its derivative altruist during the nineteenth century as Comte's ideas spread through intellectual circles. The word's core sense has remained remarkably stable since its introduction: a person devoted to the welfare of others above their own.
Related word forms
How altruist is actually used
The term is neutral-to-positive in register, used in both everyday conversation and academic contexts (psychology, ethics, sociology). It carries a strong connotation of moral praise. In casual speech, people sometimes use 'do-gooder' with a slightly mocking tone where 'altruist' would be sincere — so context matters when choosing between them.
Easily confused with altruist
Altruism is the principle or practice of selfless concern for others' welfare, while an altruist is the individual person who embodies that principle.
A philanthropist typically gives money or resources on a large scale, whereas an altruist may help others through any selfless act, not necessarily involving wealth.