self-esteem

noun

self-es·​teem ˌself-ə-ˈstēm How to pronounce self-esteem (audio)
1
: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : self-respect
2

Examples of self-esteem in a Sentence

friends and family have tried to help the shy child develop some self-esteem his towering self-esteem made praise from other people entirely unnecessary the kind of self-esteem that a struggling actor needs to keep going in the face of constant discouragement and rejection
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025 Regular washes can provide many benefits to your vehicle — and who knows, maybe even your self-esteem. Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025 No one needs an enumeration of all the positive effects of exercise, on health, on social connections, on self-esteem, or otherwise. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025 Their academic performance was lower, as was their self-esteem. Rachel Ray, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-esteem

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-esteem was in 1619

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Cite this Entry

“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-esteem. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-esteem

noun
self-es·​teem
ˌsel-fə-ˈstēm
1
: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : self-respect
2
: an exaggerated opinion of one's own abilities : self-conceit

More from Merriam-Webster on self-esteem

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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