self-absorption

American  

[self-ab-sawrp-shuhn, -zawrp-, self-] / ˈsɛlf æbˈsɔrp ʃən, -ˈzɔrp-, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. preoccupation with oneself or one's own affairs, especially to the extent that other people and things go unnoticed.

   His self-absorption was ignored by his parents, who denied the possibility of its being symptomatic of autism.

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self-absorption British  

noun

1. preoccupation with oneself to the exclusion of others or the outside world

2. physics the process in which some of the radiation emitted by a material is absorbed by the material itself

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Etymology

Origin of self-absorption

First recorded in 1860–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-absorption

Simon is often his own worst enemy, letting his self-absorption and professional hang-ups derail him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

A slate of songs by Charli XCX captures Catherine’s tragic self-absorption without seeming jarringly modern.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026

Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer were found guilty of, as the prosecutor put it, “selfishness, self-absorption, immaturity and greed.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 6, 2024

But at the very centre of this film is Prince Andrew, played with fleshy self-absorption by Rufus Sewell.

From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2024

“Sparrow’s still in the garden, pouting about something,” said Ruby, her self-absorption apparently admitting no hint as to what that something might be.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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Related Words

• arrogance
• egotism
• narcissism
• self-confidence
• selfishness

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