egotism

[ ee-guh-tiz-uhm, eg-uh- ]
See synonyms for: egotismegotisms on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. selfishness; self-centeredness; egoism.

Origin of egotism

1
First recorded in 1705–15; Latin ego ego + -ism; -t- perhaps after despotism, idiotism2

synonym study For egotism

1. 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.

Opposites for egotism

Other words from egotism

  • an·ti·e·go·tism, noun

Words that may be confused with egotism

  • egoism, egotism (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words Nearby egotism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use egotism in a sentence

  • Success in our politics often requires a voracious, antinomian egotism, a sense that rules are for others.

    Palin Has Really Gone Rogue | Michelle Goldberg | July 2, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • As regards money, from the moment I left Russia I have not ceased to reproach myself for my unfeeling egotism.

  • Is she more exempt from egotism, does she dislike others less, and has she fewer worldly affections?

  • To their last day Jenkins's clients went about, showed themselves, cheated the devouring egotism of the crowd.

    The Nabob | Alphonse Daudet
  • He knew that the old man had no sentiments beyond egotism, and a family pride which mainly, if not entirely, sprang from it.

    Overland | John William De Forest
  • Compromise in small or great seemed cowardice, and there was no doubt a strain of egotism in his obstinacy.

    The Life of Mazzini | Bolton King

British Dictionary definitions for egotism

egotism

/ (ˈiːɡəˌtɪzəm, ˈɛɡə-) /


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

  2. excessive reference to oneself

Origin of egotism

1
C18: from Latin ego I + -ism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for egotism

egotism

[ (ee-guh-tiz-uhm) ]


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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.