narcissistic

American  

[nahr-suh-sis-tik] / ˌnɑr səˈsɪs tɪk /

adjective

1. having an undue fascination with oneself; vain.

2. Psychiatry. relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting narcissistic personality disorder.

3. Psychoanalysis. tending to derive erotic gratification from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes.

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Other Word Forms

• narcissistically
  adverb
• nonnarcissistic
  adjective
• unnarcissistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of narcissistic

First recorded in 1915–20; narciss(ism) + -istic

Explanation

If you can’t stop talking about yourself and obsess constantly about the way you look, you could be exhibiting narcissistic tendencies, meaning you're obsessed with yourself, especially your outside appearance. Scholarly types may know that the word narcissistic is related to the Greek myth of Narcissus, a boy known for his good looks who after angered the gods, fell in love with his reflection in a pool. Narcissus wasted away there, too fascinated with his looks to save his own life. A narcissistic person may suffer a similar fate. The adjective narcissistic describes those who are excessively self-absorbed, especially about their looks.

Example Sentences

Just as AI is useful for lazy students who don’t want to write that term paper, it’s an unnatural boon for a narcissistic con man.

From Salon • May 23, 2026

If economics can be called the dismal science, I’d argue that eugenics might be called the narcissistic one.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

Kevin Kline plays Richard Bean, a narcissistic stage actor.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

It’s a primitive but effective tactic identified by psychologists as one used by manipulative or narcissistic people.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

Onstage, she sees more deeply into herself, but not in a way that is narcissistic.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• self-centered
• self-involved