self-absorbed
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does self-absorbed mean? Self-absorbed is an adjective used to describe a person who’s preoccupied with their own wants and needs. When used in this term, the word absorbed means deeply preoccupied or totally wrapped up in something—in this case, oneself. Self-absorbed is almost always used negatively. When you call people self-absorbed, it usually means you think they only think about and care about themselves. The term is typically used to describe a person’s overall personality (as opposed to their behavior on a certain day or at a certain time). The state of being self-absorbed is called self-absorption (notice how the b becomes a p in the noun absorption). Example: My therapist helped me to see how self-absorbed I was, only ever thinking about myself and making everything about me.
Etymology
Origin of self-absorbed
First recorded in 1840–50
Explanation
If you're overly concerned with yourself, including your own feelings and thoughts, you're self-absorbed. Self-absorbed people don't think much about how others are feeling. Your self-absorbed acquaintance Isn't likely to ask you sincerely how you're doing today, because he's too busy thinking about himself. And a self-absorbed driver who gets in a fender bender might rush to see if her car is scratched rather than checking to make sure her passenger is okay. Self-absorbed dates from the late 18th century, from self and absorbed, "engrossed mentally."
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.
In 2016’s The Mandibles, she created a character whom she described as a “pure piss-take” of herself: belligerent, tactless, a maniacal exerciser–the Ur-Boomer, utterly self-absorbed and an unalloyed financial disaster for society.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026
Bellingham's talent is without question but he has long been a polarising figure amid reports some in the England camp believe he is too self-absorbed.
From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025
By Alan, of course, he is referring to his much-loved and often quoted comedy creation, Alan Partridge - the tactless, self-absorbed and self-styled presenter.
From BBC • Sep. 30, 2025
“He was unhinged, often incoherent, incapable of completing thoughts and sentences when he had points to make, and led into self-absorbed rabbit-holes.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024
So many people with far smaller problems are so self-absorbed, their eyes glaze over if you speak for more than thirty seconds.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
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.
