self-esteem

noun

self-es·​teem ˌself-ə-ˈstēm 

1

: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : self-respect

2

: self-conceit

Synonyms of self-esteem

• pride
• pridefulness
• confidence
• ego
• self-respect

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

That’s likely because, before losing weight, food noise, physical exhaustion, and decades of guilt, self-blame, and failed diets wore down patients’ self-esteem, Gendreau explained. —Allison Forsyth, Health, 14 May 2026

Each attempt to change their mind can erode your self-esteem. —Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 13 May 2026

At first, this appears to be a typical 1950s etiquette book for women, albeit one that seems extremely fixated on destroying the reader’s self-esteem. —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 13 May 2026

Tweens and teens look to each other for clarity and guidance on how to behave and how to feel, all the while gambling with each other’s social confidence and self-esteem. —Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-esteem

• academe
• cherubim
• elohim
• episteme
• seraphim
• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme

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