self-conscious

adjective

self-con·​scious ˌself-ˈkän(t)-shəs 

1

a

: conscious of one's own acts or states as belonging to or originating in oneself : aware of oneself as an individual

b

: intensely aware of oneself : conscious

a rising and self-conscious social class

also : produced or done with such awareness

self-conscious art

2

: uncomfortably conscious of oneself as an object of the observation of others : ill at ease

self-consciously adverb

self-consciousness noun

Examples of self-conscious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

About 32% of Gen Z feel self-conscious speaking only English abroad, compared with just 15% of those over 55. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026

Growing up as a self-conscious kid in a bustling big city, Nyro learned to summon that confidence from within. —Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 24 May 2026

Now there is space for the remaining patients to occupy their seats without the self-conscious drawing-in of arms and legs that comes from sitting too close to a stranger. —Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

Laith is starved for playmates and nurturing male company, self-conscious of his awkward position as the sole male in an otherwise all-female environment. —Jay Weissberg, Variety, 17 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for self-conscious

• conscious
• preconscious
• subconscious
• unconscious

Kids Definition

self-conscious

adjective

self-con·​scious

ˈself-ˈkän-chəs

: uncomfortably conscious of oneself as an object of the observation of others

self-consciously adverb

self-consciousness noun