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

If your son is self-conscious about public displays of affection, find a compromise. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 29 May 2025

Stock image of a man sitting apart from others, looking self-conscious. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

These meta-references might have registered as little more than self-conscious tics, but Robinson’s aggressively eccentric performance gives them a prickly, ultimately disturbing sense of purpose. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 May 2025

If you’re rusty on bar etiquette or self-conscious about how to act on a night out, John deBary is here to help. —Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2025

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