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• ego trip
  ego trip

  noun

  an act or course of action undertaken primarily to satisfy one's vanity or for self-gratification.
• ego-trip
  ego-trip

  verb (used without object)

  to behave in a self-serving manner.

ego trip

¹ American  

noun

Informal.

1. an act or course of action undertaken primarily to satisfy one's vanity or for self-gratification.

   Her charitable activity was one long ego trip.

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ego-trip ² American  

[ee-goh-trip, eg-oh-] / ˈi goʊˌtrɪp, ˈɛg oʊ- /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

ego-tripped, ego-tripping

1. to behave in a self-serving manner.

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ego trip British  

noun

1. something undertaken to boost or draw attention to a person's own image or appraisal of himself

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verb

1. to act in this way

ego trip Idioms  

1. Behavior or activities undertaken mainly out of vanity or for self-gratification. For example, She's really on an ego trip, trying out for the lead. [1960s]

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Other Word Forms

• ego-tripper
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ego trip¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Origin of ego-trip²

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

We are at least given more backstory and a more plausible explanation for Sophie’s fascination with Alex: the ego trip.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2025

This is not an ego trip by the judge.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

His stance of principled opposition would be exposed as the sheer ego trip it has been all along.

From Slate • Dec. 6, 2023

They call him “yesterday’s man” on an ego trip.

From Washington Post • May 4, 2021

Mr. Bruce turns the Lone Ranger into just another neurotic performer, one ego trip away from losing his work.

From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2016