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

• amour propre
• bighead
• complacence
• complacency
• conceit
• conceitedness
• ego
• egotism
• pomposity
• pompousness
• pride
• pridefulness
• self-admiration
• self-assumption
• self-conceit
• self-congratulation
• self-esteem
• self-glory
• self-importance
• self-opinion
• self-satisfaction
• smugness
• swelled head
• swellheadedness
• vaingloriousness
• vainglory
• vainness
• vanity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

But tying the roller coaster of emotions together are overarching themes of self-growth, self-love and positivity. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 1 May 2023

Venus also highlights the need for self-love, and for you, this is likely popping up in your career. —Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 30 Apr. 2023

Though some might disagree, the outcome wasn't a surprise to Luxx, who was applauded by RuPaul and her fellow competitors for her self-determination, faith in herself and vocal self-love. —Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023

After all, if the dream factory functioned like any other business, there would be no Academy Awards ceremony, the most glamorous spectacle of celebrity self-love ever devised. —Marc Weingarten, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2023

Putting self-love before the needs of one’s partner is the narcissist’s way. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023

Pilates has quickly morphed into a self-love ritual for me. —Dominique B. Fluker, Women's Health, 25 Mar. 2023

Before that, bold-faced celebrities such as Brooke Shields, Juliette Lewis, Cassie, Indya Moore, Becky G and Chelsea Handler starred in a bra campaign centered around women’s journeys towards self-love and acceptance,. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2023

Why is self-love so crucial? Making sure people are good is a big part of my life. —Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above