solipsism
Americannoun
-
Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.
-
extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of solipsism
Explanation
Solipsism is the philosophical theory that what's in your mind is the only reality that can be known and verified. Solipsism comes from the Latin words for alone (sol) and self (ipse), and means that only the self is real. In metaphysical solipsism, your mind is the only thing that's real, and everything else is just a representation. In epistemological solipsism, there might be a world outside your mind, which you could detect with your senses, but it's impossible to prove. In methodological solipsism the self is the only proper starting point for exploring the nature of reality.
Vocabulary lists containing solipsism
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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!
1984
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!
Burning Blue
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.
It’s fine—normally, I like to give Americans a bit of grief over their solipsism, but things have been domestically on fire for the past 100 days or so.
From Slate • Apr. 29, 2025
Every season of “The White Lotus” studies Western solipsism, the American strain in particular.
From Salon • Feb. 16, 2025
Or perhaps it’s progress, moving from solipsism to community.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2024
Koch was implicitly raising what I call the solipsism problem, to which I will return.
From Scientific American • Jun. 26, 2023
It strikes me, in my middle-class solipsism, that there is gross improvidence in some of these arrangements.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
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.
