self-absorption

American  

[self-ab-sawrp-shuhn, -zawrp-, self-] / ˈsɛlf æbˈsɔrp ʃən, -ˈzɔrp-, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. preoccupation with oneself or one's own affairs, especially to the extent that other people and things go unnoticed.

   His self-absorption was ignored by his parents, who denied the possibility of its being symptomatic of autism.

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self-absorption British  

noun

1. preoccupation with oneself to the exclusion of others or the outside world

2. physics the process in which some of the radiation emitted by a material is absorbed by the material itself

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Etymology

Origin of self-absorption

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

By the end, it’s hard not to feel for him even as you laugh at his self-absorption.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

But Carell steers clear of anything resembling a star turn, preferring instead to be a witness to these theatrical proceedings until the crucial showdown with Alexander, whose titanic self-absorption Molina captures to perfection.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

Jacobs, the prop master, is encouraged that the show’s carefully selected signifiers of wealth, status, self-absorption and poor taste are still being appreciated by fans.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2024

Identifying behaviors that make us recoil, like self-absorption and obliviousness, requires an ironic amount of self-reflection.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2023

“Sparrow’s still in the garden, pouting about something,” said Ruby, her self-absorption apparently admitting no hint as to what that something might be.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• arrogance
• egotism
• narcissism
• self-confidence
• selfishness