self-conscious

American  

[self-kon-shuhs, self-] / ˈsɛlfˈkɒn ʃəs, ˌsɛlf- /

adjective

1. excessively aware of being observed by others.

2. conscious of oneself or one's own being.

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self-conscious British  

adjective

1. unduly aware of oneself as the object of the attention of others; embarrassed

2. conscious of one's existence

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Usage

What does self-conscious mean? Self-conscious means overly aware of and sensitive to attention from others, often to the point of feeling anxious or embarrassed. In this sense, self-conscious is always used negatively. A person can be self-conscious in general, or about a particular aspect of themselves. Much less commonly, it is used to mean aware of one’s existence. Example: She says she never wears short-sleeved shirts because she’s self-conscious about the way her arms look.

Other Word Forms

• self-consciousness
  noun
• self-consciously
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of self-conscious

First recorded in 1670–80

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Explanation

Use the adjective self-conscious to describe someone who is ill at ease or uncomfortable with himself. A self-conscious person might worry about how he looks or whether he's saying the right things. Being self-conscious goes beyond just being aware of yourself — when you're self-conscious, you constantly question the way you appear to others. You might feel self-conscious when you stand in front of a group to give a speech, or when you're trying out for a movie or a play. The word first meant "conscious of one's own action" when it emerged in the 1680s, and by 1830s it had come to mean "preoccupied with one's own personality."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-conscious

Emma said people with pouches could be self-conscious and sensitive and may be particularly concerned about being embarrassed during security checks.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

They may reach arguably loftier artistic heights with “Revolver,” “Sgt. Pepper,” “The White Album,” or “Abbey Road” — take your pick — but “Rubber Soul” embodies the group’s decisive turn towards self-conscious greatness.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

As they watched themselves warbling, a camera captured the full array of their facial expressions—moans, groans and self-conscious laughter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

She said she felt self-conscious about her appearance post-surgery and retreated further from the public.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

I sit up to take a self-conscious look in the mirror.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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Related Words

• anxious
• awkward
• bashful
• embarrassed
• mannered
• nervous
• sheepish
• shy
• stiff
• stilted
• uncomfortable
• uneasy
• unsure

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