ego

American  

[ee-goh, eg-oh] / ˈi goʊ, ˈɛg oʊ /

noun

PLURAL

egos

1. the “I” or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.

2. Psychoanalysis.  the part of the psychic apparatus that experiences and reacts to the outside world and thus mediates between the primitive drives of the id and the demands of the social and physical environment.

3. egotism; conceit; self-importance.

   Her ego becomes more unbearable each day.

4. self-esteem or self-image; feelings.

   Your criticism wounded his ego.

5. (often initial capital letter)

   1. the enduring and conscious element that knows experience.

   2. Scholasticism.  the complete person comprising both body and soul.

6. Ethnology.  a person who serves as the central reference point in the study of organizational and kinship relationships.

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ego British  

/ ˈɛɡəʊ, ˈiːɡəʊ /

noun

1. the self of an individual person; the conscious subject

2. psychoanal the conscious mind, based on perception of the environment from birth onwards: responsible for modifying the antisocial instincts of the id and itself modified by the conscience (superego)

3. one's image of oneself; morale

   to boost one's ego

4. egotism; conceit

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ego Cultural  

1. The “I” or self of any person (ego is Latin for “I”). In psychological terms, the ego is the part of the psyche that experiences the outside world and reacts to it, coming between the primitive drives of the id and the demands of the social environment, represented by the superego.

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Discover More

The term ego is often used to mean personal pride and self-absorption: “Losing at chess doesn't do much for my ego.”

Etymology

Origin of ego

First recorded in 1780–90; from Latin: “I”; psychoanalytic term is translation of German (das) Ich “(the) I”

Example Sentences

But by getting away with anything, Monkey’s ego grows.

From Los Angeles Times

“There is an inherent sense of trust and ease, a sacred space to know that we’re here to do this work, and so there’s no egos.”

From Los Angeles Times

In a sport full egos, America's 30-0 world champion is as humble as they come on a journey to inspire the next generation.

From BBC

“He was the smartest guy in the room. But his ego always trumped his IQ. It’s now done so in the worst possible way.”

From The Wall Street Journal

When Tartaglia first saw in the script that he would meet his on-screen alter ego, he thought it was an inside joke just put there to make him laugh.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• character
• psyche