self-centered
Americanadjective
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concerned solely or chiefly with one's own interests, welfare, etc.; engrossed in self; selfish; egotistical.
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independent, self-sufficient.
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centered in oneself or itself.
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Archaic. fixed; unchanging.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-centered
First recorded in 1670–80
Explanation
A self-centered person is excessively concerned with himself and his own needs. He's selfish. You probably know some people who always talk about themselves, make every issue about themselves, and are generally all about "Me, me, me!" People like that are self-centered: as the word suggests, they are overly centered on themselves. Self-centered people tend to ignore the needs of others and only do what's best for them. You can also call them egocentric, egoistic, and egoistical. In the seventeenth century, however, self-centered meant "fixed or stationary."
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.
The land of the free and the home of the brave not the habitat of the petty, mean, nasty and self centered.
From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2018
It's not just a self centered motive but a very conscientious decision.
From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2014
A world full of self centered intellectual giants wouldn’t enhance our ability to live in peace or solve world hunger.
From Scientific American • Feb. 8, 2012
If the patient has chosen treatment that I would not recommend – it is an insult and self centered for me to inject my personal feelings about treatment he or she has choosen.
From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2010
Poor old Midas, still self centered and earthly!
From Wonder Stories The Best Myths for Boys and Girls by Bailey, Carolyn Sherwin
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.
