An egoist is a person who places themselves and their own interests above others, often prioritizing self-interest in actions and decisions. In everyday use, the term can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying self-centeredness or a focus on personal gain rather than collective concerns. As a label, it can describe philosophy, behavior, or a character trait without assuming others’ motivations. It is typically used in formal or critical discourse.
US: Maintain rhotic clarity only if context uses /ɹ/; UK/AU: non-rhotic tendency means /ɹ/ is absent; focus on vowel quality: US /iː/ vs UK/AU /iː/ but with UK/AU the /əʊ/ diphthong in the second syllable sounds more like /əʊ/; both groups should keep /ɡ/ strong. Vowels: long /iː/ in first syllable; second syllable uses /oʊ/ or /əʊ/; final /ɪst/ with short /ɪ/ and crisp /st/. IPA references: US /ˈiːɡoʊˌɪst/, UK/AU /ˈiːɡəʊˌɪst/.
"The philosopher argued that ethical egoism claims individuals should act in ways that maximize their own long-term self-interest."
"Her friends described her as an egoist, always prioritizing her plans over everyone else’s."
"In his essay, he critiques the egoist approach to morality."
"The CEO’s decision appeared more egoist than altruistic, driven by personal prestige."
Egoist derives from the French word egoiste, from Latin ego, meaning ‘I,’ plus the suffix -ist denoting ‘one who practices or believes in.’ The term appears in English in the late 19th century, aligning with philosophical debates about self-interest and morality. Its usage shifted from a neutral descriptor to a more critical label as ideas of egoism and self-interest were debated in moral philosophy, psychology, and literature. Early references tie egoism to rational self-interest and the individual’s primacy in ethical decision-making. Over time, egoist has evolved to describe both a philosophical stance and a pejorative personal trait in colloquial English, retaining its core sense of prioritizing one’s own interests, sometimes at others’ expense. First known uses feed into debates about whether self-interest drives ethical behavior and how society should balance personal goals with communal well-being.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Egoist" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Egoist"
-ast sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈiːɡoʊˌɪst/ in US English or /ˈiːɡəʊˌɪst/ in UK/Australian English. Stress falls on the first syllable: E-goist. The sequence ‘ego’ sounds like ‘ee-goh,’ followed by the clipped /ɪst/. Make sure the /ɡ/ is clear between the vowels and avoid blending it into a ‘jee’ sound. You can listen to pronunciation on Forvo or YouGlish to hear native examples.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (e.g., /ˈiːɡoʊɪst/), mispronouncing the middle vowel as /ə/ or /ɪ/ too short, and softening the /t/ into a ‘d’ in rapid speech. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable, clearly articulate /ɡ/ between the two vowel clusters (ˈiː-ɡoʊ-ɪst or ˈiː-ɡəʊ-ɪst), and release the final /t/ in careful speech. Use deliberate, slow practice and then speed up while maintaining clarity.
In US, the first vowel in the first syllable tends to be a long /iː/ with a clear /ɡoʊ/. In UK, the second vowel shifts to /əʊ/ or /oʊ/ depending on speaker, with less pronounced rhoticity. Australian often mirrors UK vowel quality but can have a more centralized /ɡəʊ/ variant. The final /st/ stays crisp; rhoticity affects post-vocalic r not typically present in egoist. Refer to IPA variants: US /ˈiːɡoʊˌɪst/, UK/AU /ˈiːɡəʊˌɪst/.
Key challenges: the transition from the long first syllable to the /ɡ/ onset in the middle syllable, and the /ɪst/ ending after a back rounded vowel /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. The cluster /ɡoʊɪ/ can trip speakers who assimilate the vowels, and the final /st/ requires release for crispness. Practice isolating each segment, then blend slowly. IPA references help you verify accuracy: US /ˈiːɡoʊˌɪst/, UK/AU /ˈiːɡəʊˌɪst/.
The unique aspect is maintaining clear separation and stress alignment across three syllables: E-go-ist. Some speakers reduce the middle vowel to /ə/ or /ɪ/ under haste, which weakens the root syllable. Keep the first syllable strong with long /iː/ and ensure the middle vowel isn’t swallowed. Use slow drills focusing on the /ɡ/ onset and final /st/ for precise articulation.
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