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self-worth

American  
[self-wurth] / ˈsɛlfˈwɜrθ /

noun

  1. the sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.


self-worth British  

noun

  1. respect for or a favourable opinion of oneself

"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

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Etymology

Origin of self-worth

First recorded in 1960–65

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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.

Many appear to want something more enduring: jobs, mobility and economic self-worth.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

She told jurors that her near-constant social media use "really affected my self-worth," saying the apps led her to abandon hobbies, struggle to make friends and constantly measure herself against others.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

If you uncouple your net worth from your self-worth, navigating finances becomes less sensitive.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

She found that those whose identities and self-worth were most tightly coupled to the business had the hardest time coping with failure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

It’s a world where a man’s reputation is at the center of his livelihood and self-worth.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

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