self-centered

American  

[self-sen-terd] / ˈsɛlfˈsɛn tərd /

especially British, self-centred

adjective

1. concerned solely or chiefly with one's own interests, welfare, etc.; engrossed in self; selfish; egotistical.

2. independent, self-sufficient.

3. centered in oneself or itself.

4. Archaic. fixed; unchanging.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• selfcenteredness
  noun
• unself-centered
  adjective
• selfcenteredly
  adverb

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

All of his successes have attracted critics worried he has become too powerful, too reckless, too self-centered.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

Obviously, boomers are not all self-centered; they may require more help as they age.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

“I got to a place where I got over myself, because actually thinking that way is quite self-centered, and I think a little bit non-appreciative too.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 27, 2025

But plenty of us have self-centered people in our lives whom we do not want to cut off or gray rock—and for that, we might need to get off Reddit and talk to a therapist.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2024

People wanted to like him, they wanted to believe him, but he was undependable and self-centered at best, mischievous or evil at worst.

From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• egocentric
• egotistical
• self-absorbed
• self-indulgent
• selfish