self-control
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-control
First recorded in 1705–15
Compare meaning
How does self-control compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Self-control is the quality that allows you to stop yourself from doing things you want to do but that might not be in your best interest. For example, without self-control, you might burp and curse nonstop. Have you ever had a potato chip or two and pretty soon you’ve eaten the whole bag? Eating a whole bag of chips shows little self-control. Not charging an expensive thing you want to a credit card takes self-control. Getting up early for work takes self-control. Without self-control, it's hard to get far in life. Self-control is similar to self-discipline.
Vocabulary lists containing self-control
Promises to Keep
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
History is made in PA: Clinton's DNC Acceptance Speech
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Loser
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“Extreme emotional disturbance is about a loss of self-control for which there was a reasonable explanation or excuse,” said Gary Galperin, a former prosecutor in Manhattan who now teaches at Cardozo School of Law.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
The Stroop task is a classic psychological test that has been used for decades to study attention, concentration, and self-control.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 10, 2026
As he has aged, has increasingly appeared to lack filters or self-control.
From Salon ● May 26, 2026
Holding back a child can be a good option to allow children extra time to develop self-control and self-regulation skills vital for the classroom, said Stanford professor Thomas Dee, who has studied red-shirting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026
I was wild with resentment but too much under "self-control," that frozen virtue, that freezing vice.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
