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

Without parental guidance, children may turn to social media or their peers for answers at a time when kids may be confused and potentially self-conscious. —Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025

Like Hill, Norris is self-conscious, perhaps too much so for a cutthroat and competitive sport like F1, where confidence is so important. —ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2025

The Last of Us’ season two premiere often feels uncharacteristically self-conscious about its storytelling choices, clearly anxious to lay more groundwork before the show plunges into its next phase. —Abby Monteil, Them., 14 Apr. 2025

Ellie is a typical teen: cocky and defiant at times, painfully self-conscious at others. —Noel Murray, New York Times, 12 Apr. 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