self-reference

American  

[self-ref-er-uhns, -ref-ruhns] / ˈsɛlfˈrɛf ər əns, -ˈrɛf rəns /

noun

1. reference made to oneself, to one's own character or experience, or to a group with which one identifies.

2. Logic. the property of a statement that is a statement about itself, as “This statement is grammatical.”

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Sensitivity

Social, ethnic, or other groups often use terms of self-reference in a neutral, even affectionate or jocular way, much like nicknames. These self-referential terms function to reinforce solidarity among members of the group. However, when used by outsiders, these very same terms are perceived as offensive by those who belong to the group. Examples of self-referential terms are Canuck, chick, dyke, geek, nigger, queer.

Other Word Forms

• self-referential
  adjective
• self-referring
  adjective
• self-referentially
  adverb

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-reference

Gokavi wrote back then about Freeman’s capacity to wink, about his chronic but unserious self-reference as “The Deuce,” an homage to his jersey number.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 2, 2022

As with the first movie, “Double Tap” is filled with winking self-reference and likable characters — including winning turns by series newcomers Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch, Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2020

New designs frequently recall classic models, in a cycle of self-reference as constant as the ticking of a second hand.

From New York Times ● Aug. 30, 2019

Pincus-Witten taxed him with narcissism—not incorrectly, but he failed to credit the steely discipline with which Nauman marshals his uses of self-reference.

From The New Yorker ● Oct. 29, 2018

Successful without education, she was astonishingly destitute of the wearisome fallacy of complacent self-reference characteristic of many people of uncommon ability.

From Making Both Ends Meet The income and outlay of New York working girls by Sue Ainslie Clark

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