Showing results for self-knowledge. Search instead for zero-knowledge.

self-knowledge

American

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

noun

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

self-knowledge British

noun

knowledge of one's own character, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of self-knowledge

First recorded in 1605–15

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.

See Examples For:

self-knowledge

“What I have discovered seems to suggest that it is only through self-knowledge that genuine happiness experienced,” he tells Mary.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

Stylishness was certainly important to Mr. Stern, and he had enough self-knowledge to laugh about it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

But the adventures that skateboarding facilitates can also be gateways to freedom and self-knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2024

“Maybe,” she reasons with a weary sigh, arriving at some self-knowledge, “I’m just kinda like this.”

From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

And in spite of this self-knowledge I equipped Rocinante with enough writing material to take care of ten volumes.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023