self-importance

noun

self-im·​por·​tance ˌself-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s 

-tən(t)s

1

: an exaggerated estimate of one's own importance : self-conceit

2

: arrogant or pompous behavior

Synonyms of self-importance

• arrogance
• superiority

Examples of self-importance in a Sentence

the boxer's flamboyant self-importance often made for a colorful prefight press conference

her overbearing self-importance has given her a sense of entitlement

Recent Examples on the Web

Less of a reboot than a shameless do-over, Marc Webb‘s first Spider-Man film tells a more protracted origin story, with half the fun and twice the self-importance (the film earns a rare dead-dad hat trick). — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026

What remains intact across all versions of Cady is a devilish sense of humor and a lack of self-importance. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Season four course-corrected somewhat, but its hard embrace of a bleeding-heart sentimentality around found families and the power of food smacked of self-importance. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026

There’s also a broader cultural undercurrent shaping all of this—a down-to-earth atmosphere that resists hierarchy and self-importance. — Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-importance

• unimportance
• importance
• portance

Kids Definition

self-importance

noun

self-im·​por·​tance

ˌsel-fim-ˈpȯrt-ᵊn(t)s, 

-ən(t)s

: an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance

self-important

-ᵊnt, 

-ənt

adjective

self-importantly adverb