self-esteem
Americannoun
-
a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself; self-respect.
- Antonyms:
- diffidence
-
an inordinately or exaggeratedly favorable impression of oneself.
Her self-esteem can sometimes be very annoying.
- Antonyms:
- diffidence
noun
-
respect for or a favourable opinion of oneself
-
an unduly high opinion of oneself; vanity
Related Words
See pride.
Etymology
Origin of self-esteem
First recorded in 1650–60
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If they regularly attend those clubs they can end up representing the school which leads to "a feeling of self-worth and self-esteem", he said.
From BBC
Nudity among strangers can boost self-esteem and improve body image.
From Salon
Positive affirmations are statements about the self that reinforce positive characteristics, abilities or skills and are frequently used in psychotherapy, usually as part of a treatment for depression, negative thinking or low self-esteem.
From Los Angeles Times
He said he felt ashamed to reach out to old friends and suffered a loss of self-esteem and a sense of identity.
From Washington Post
The music nonprofit Guitars Not Guns was begun in 2000 after a San Jose couple, Ray and Louise Nelson, discovered that playing the guitar boosted their foster children’s confidence and self-esteem.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
