selfhood

noun

self·​hood ˈself-ˌhu̇d 

1

: individuality

2

: the quality or state of being selfish

Synonyms of selfhood

• identity
• personality

Examples of selfhood in a Sentence

he spent a year in a monastery determining the core of his selfhood

Recent Examples on the Web

This is, at times, a wrenching novel, strewn with broken bodies, but its atrocities never overwhelm its faith in creaturely communion, and in grief and longing that clarify, rather than obscure, one’s desires and selfhood. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Neptune can represent imagination, spirituality, idealism and illusion, while Aries is concerned with selfhood, courage and initiation. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Our true nature, or selfhood, is created by Spirit and is wholly loved, complete, and sound. — Alistair Budd, Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2026

Being assembled and claimed by kindergartner Bonnie transforms an initially reluctant Forky from trash to toy in Toy Story 4, but becoming discarded and ownerless doesn’t rob lost toys of their selfhood. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for selfhood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

Kids Definition

selfhood

noun

self·​hood ˈself-ˌhu̇d 

: individuality sense 1