self-centered

[ self-sen-terd ]

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.

Other Words From

• selfcentered·ly adverb
• selfcentered·ness noun
• unself-centered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-centered¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

The brash, engaged, occasionally self-centered ex-lawmaker seemed to retreat inward and practically disappear.

From The Daily Beast

He does take up a leadership role, but his motivations are somewhat self-centered.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, there is the catch that Nancy has always been a bit more cunning and self-centered (though not self-aware) than Piper.

From The Daily Beast

Opportunistic, self-centered—no one could actually write a worse TV mom.

From The Daily Beast

His motivations to just make money can be viewed by this audience as self-centered, even if they may be business savvy.

From The Daily Beast

Moze and Shady Jones, deep locked in their self-centered motives, had not realized the inevitable trend of their dark lives.

From Project Gutenberg

With his self-centered juvenile mind, he never thought anyone would try to outsmart him and succeed.

From Project Gutenberg

Incurious and self-centered, the affairs of the outer world had for her but little real interest.

From Project Gutenberg

But a religious culture that keeps him in this self-centered feverish state is pathetically morbid and harmful.

From Project Gutenberg

How can the man whose ends are both self-centered and ignoble be changed into the man whose ends are wide and high?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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