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

Children are generally less self-conscious than adults and more willing to take risks when speaking. —Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026

Marcus Phillips spearheads a spot-on quintet of classmates, each bursting with self-conscious awkwardness and a desire to be seen and understood. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026

The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it. —Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026

Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that. —Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 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