self-knowledge

American  

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

noun

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

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self-knowledge British  

noun

1. knowledge of one's own character, etc

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Etymology

Origin of self-knowledge

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Only the accident of his intemperate sounding off, and then lack of self-knowledge to offer regrets, blew up the opportunity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Les and Lindy fall in and out of understanding as they drift into a state of war; she gains power, self-knowledge and self-sufficiency, even as he falls apart.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

"These findings suggest that reaching to the body may be equally important and that exploring the body is the gateway to self-knowledge."

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2024

After getting dumped by her girlfriend and fired from her job at a Manhattan bookstore that sounds a lot like the Strand, she heads west in search of self-knowledge.

From New York Times • Jun. 22, 2023

I have one outstanding character trait that must be obvious to anyone who’s known me for any length of time: I have a great deal of self-knowledge.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank