self-conscious

adjective

self-con·​scious ˌself-ˈkän(t)-shəs How to pronounce self-conscious (audio)
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
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.
The social media content creator and actress, who is from Assyrian and Bulgarian descent, was already self-conscious in grade school that her name didn’t fall into the Mary and Sue categories like the other kids’ names. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025 Excuse the cynicism, but this is the sort of combination of touchy-feely button-pushing and self-conscious peculiarity that’s meant to seem significant and profound that will bring out your inner rom-com Grinch. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025 Surgeries, hair loss, or scars can leave young women feeling self-conscious during a period of life when many of their friends are focused on starting relationships or families. Julie Scott, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 These books, like Sean Thor Conroe’s Fuccboi; Adem Luz Rienspect’s Mixtape Hyperborea; Tony Tulathimutte’s Rejection; Sebastian Castillo’s Fresh, Green Life; and most recently, Jordan Castro’s Muscle Man, all depict the male psyche as a pulsing wound of self-conscious neurosis. Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-conscious

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-conscious was in 1632

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Cite this Entry

“Self-conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-conscious. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on self-conscious

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