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self-knowledge

American  
[self-nol-ij, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈnɒl ɪdʒ, ˈsɛlf- /

noun

  1. knowledge or understanding of oneself, one's character, abilities, motives, etc.


self-knowledge British  

noun

  1. knowledge of one's own character, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of self-knowledge

First recorded in 1605–15

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.

See Examples For:

“What I have discovered seems to suggest that it is only through self-knowledge that genuine happiness experienced,” he tells Mary.

From Salon Jun. 25, 2026

What they might do, though, is remind him why he became so widely adored — valuable self-knowledge for an artist whose great subject has always been the transformative power of love.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 28, 2026

Stylishness was certainly important to Mr. Stern, and he had enough self-knowledge to laugh about it.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 28, 2025

“Maybe,” she reasons with a weary sigh, arriving at some self-knowledge, “I’m just kinda like this.”

From New York Times Dec. 6, 2023

And in spite of this self-knowledge I equipped Rocinante with enough writing material to take care of ten volumes.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

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