self-love

noun

ˌself-ˈləv 

: love of self: such as

a

: an appreciation of one's own worth or virtue

Self-love begins when we observe our actions and words with compassion as if we were our own best friend.

—Sara M Bosworth

Just as you'd think, it's love—particular, self-love—that makes the world go around.

—Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Often we are reluctant to promote self-love mostly because we confuse it with selfishness. Since we are humans, we ought to have a healthy love for ourselves; it is from this fount that love flows out to others.

—Mason Olds

b

: proper regard for and attention to one's own happiness or well-being

Nurturing your body seems simple, but for me it feels like an extreme act of self-love.

—Danielle d'Entremont

Lisa Concepcion, a certified professional love life coach and founder of LoveQuest Coaching, says that journaling is an excellent way to practice self-love.

—SheKnows

c

: inflated love of or pride in oneself : narcissism, conceit

… individuals ruled by self-love and selfishness …

—John Saillant

"Then from myself pray understand that I will say nothing to flatter your self-love."

—Anthony Trollope

… there was the self-love of those conceited blockheads who … were convinced that they themselves were superior to anything the age could produce.

—John Clive

self-loving

ˌself-ˈlə-viŋ 

adjective

Synonyms

• vanity
• ego
• pridefulness
• pride

Examples of self-love in a Sentence

nurtured a self-love that was far greater than any affection she ever felt for another person

Recent Examples on the Web

Programs focus on self-love, mindfulness, and emotional healing, according to the center’s website. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025

Use this time to engage in self-love rituals, or perhaps write a love letter to call in your soulmate. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 July 2025

Together, the Fab Five have traversed everywhere from Atlanta to Missouri to Louisiana — and even overseas, for a four-part special in Japan — in their efforts to spread the gospel self-love and joy. —EW.com, 9 July 2025

This interactive workshop was all about breaking free from burnout, setting boundaries, and embracing rest as an act of self-love and resistance. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-love

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• of
• shove
• hereinabove