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

Victor communicates Agnes’s alienation by playing her as visibly self-conscious. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025

Eva agrees to dance with Frank, and Richie helps Frank feel less self-conscious about his role as stepdad. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

Adorable Riley is now 13, which means Anxiety (Maya Hawke) has made her way to Headquarters, usurping Joy’s (Amy Poehler) authority and turning this precocious teen into a self-conscious stress ball desperate to be liked. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025

There’s also concern that kids are becoming self-conscious earlier, pressured to present a polished image both on and offline. —Dia Gallo, Parents, 17 June 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