self-deprecation

American  

[self-dep-ri-key-shuhn, self-] / ˌsɛlfˌdɛp rɪˈkeɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

Also self-depreciation

noun

1. the act or habit of belittling or undervaluing oneself; excessive modesty, often as a form of humor.

   There’s no need for self-deprecation—you're doing fine and shouldn’t be worried about your shortcomings.

   At the luau, the Hawaiian chief's deadpan delivery, self-deprecation, and gentle mockery of tourists was hilarious.

---

Etymology

Origin of self-deprecation

First recorded in 1840–45; self- ( def. ) + deprecation ( def. )

Example Sentences

When I worked at the BBC half a lifetime ago, like all staffs at large, public institutions, we had some good gags in corporate self-deprecation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

"There is a similar stoic spirit of self-deprecation and humour in Ukrainians, that I recognise more than any other, in us Brits," he says.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

The Duke of Sussex says "banter" in pubs and sports grounds and a spirit of good-humoured "self-deprecation" are among the things that he loves about Britain and which he thinks define British culture.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

And she approaches the new fame with the internal self-deprecation and insecurity that fuels so many funny people.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2024

He laughed, gesturing in self-deprecation with long, thin fingers.

From "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbit