egotism

American  

[ee-guh-tiz-uhm, eg-uh-] / ˈi gəˌtɪz əm, ˈɛg ə- /

noun

1. excessive and objectionable reference to oneself in conversation or writing; conceit; boastfulness.

   Antonyms:

   altruism, modesty, humility

2. selfishness; self-centeredness; egoism.

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egotism British  

/ ˈɛɡə-, ˈiːɡəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. an inflated sense of self-importance or superiority; self-centredness

2. excessive reference to oneself

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egotism Cultural  

1. An excessive regard for one's own talents or achievements; conceit, self-importance; acting with only one's own interests in mind.

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Related Words

Egotism, egoism refer to preoccupation with one's ego or self. Egotism is the common word for obtrusive and excessive reference to and emphasis upon oneself and one's own importance: His egotism alienated all his friends. Egoism, a less common word, is used especially in philosophy, ethics, or metaphysics, where it emphasizes the importance of or preoccupation with self in relation to other things: sufficient egoism to understand one's central place in the universe. See also pride.

Other Word Forms

• antiegotism noun

Etymology

Origin of egotism

First recorded in 1705–15; Latin ego ego + -ism; -t- perhaps after despotism, idiotism ²

Explanation

If you think that there's nothing better than being you, then you're full of egotism, a word for an inflated sense of self-importance. Most people believe it's good to have positive feelings about yourself and healthy self-esteem. But some people feel a little too good about themselves, and that's called egotism. People suffering from egotism think the world revolves around them. They're arrogant, cocky, overconfident, selfish, and generally think they're better than other people. And having an ego of that size is generally not a good thing.

Example Sentences

For the rest of us, there is a real danger from the incentives towards egotism on social media.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2025

McNeal’s ambivalence is boldly handled: Unbridled egotism is punctured with regret.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024

Navalny was a social-media phenomenon, a charismatic speaker with some of the egotism of a natural-born leader.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2024

The single-actor format and clever use of camerawork give visual expression to the novel’s themes of overweening egotism and existential dread.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2024

Something was making him nibble at the edge of stale ideas as if his sturdy physical egotism no longer nourished his peremptory heart.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Related Words

• arrogance
• narcissism
• self-absorption
• selfishness