self-love

[ self-luhv ]

noun

1. the instinct by which one's actions are directed to the promotion of one's own welfare or well-being, especially an excessive regard for one's own advantage.
2. conceit; vanity.
3. narcissism ( def 3 ).

self-love

noun

1. the instinct or tendency to seek one's own well-being or to further one's own interest

Other Words From

• self-loving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-love¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

For women, the love that dares not speak its name is self-love.

From The Daily Beast

A huge part of self-love is being able to stand up for yourself when you are feeling taken advantage of.

From The Daily Beast

He combines the shirtless self-love of Alex Rodriguez with the vicious psychopathy of Robert Mugabe.

From The Daily Beast

Winfrey has long struggled with her weight and promoted self-love and positive body image.

From The Daily Beast

He had to be awakened to the light of self-love and strong thinking freed from the influence of white folks.

From The Daily Beast

A ruler who neglects all men of letters alike does not wound the self love of any man of letters.

From Project Gutenberg

A passion of wounded vanity, of disappointed self-love swept through her.

From Project Gutenberg

To obtain this precious harvest, garnered by self-love, a woman must be looked at.

From Project Gutenberg

His chagrin, his wounded self-love, his mortification at the unexpected turn of affairs unnerved him.

From Project Gutenberg

Reviewing those days, Mrs. Prency could say that utter selfishness and self-love had been her deepest sins.

From Project Gutenberg