ego

noun

ˈē-(ˌ)gō 

also ˈe-

plural egos

1

: the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world

2

a

: egotism sense 2

b

: self-esteem sense 1

3

: the one of the three divisions of the psyche in psychoanalytic theory that serves as the organized conscious mediator between the person and reality especially by functioning both in the perception of and adaptation to reality compare id, superego

egoless adjective

Did you know?

Ego is the Latin word for "I." So if a person seems to begin every sentence with "I", it's sometimes a sign of a big ego. It was the psychologist Sigmund Freud (well, actually his original translator) who put ego into the popular vocabulary, but what he meant by the word is complex, so only other psychologists really use it in the Freudian sense. The rest of us generally use ego simply to mean one's sense of self-worth, whether exaggerated or not. When used in the "exaggerated" sense, ego is almost the same thing as conceit. Meeting a superstar athlete without a trace of this kind of ego would be a most refreshing experience. But having a reasonable sense of your own worth is no sin. Life's little everyday victories are good—in fact, necessary—for a healthy ego.

Synonyms of ego

• pride
• pridefulness
• confidence

Examples of ego in a Sentence

I have enough ego not to want to give up easily in any contest or competition.

a star athlete with a refreshing lack of ego

Recent Examples on the Web

Assayas takes a cynical and clichéd view regarding temptation and corruption, worldly rewards of security and pleasure, even ego and pride, while having nothing to say about the transformations envisioned or the values embodied in the exercise of political authority. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026

To be an athlete is to prove yourself constantly, to always be risking your ego and your body. —Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

The irony is that most would say that nobody in the game today has a bigger ego than Bryson DeChambeau. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026

Perhaps the Portuguese’s midweek recognition — an accolade Odegaard may have received in 2024 had things ended differently — provoked his inner ego. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, I — more at i

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ego

• alter ego
• ego ideal
• ego trip
• massage someone's ego

Rhymes for ego

• impetigo
• loligo

Kids Definition

ego

noun

ˈē-gō 

plural egos

1

: self entry 2 sense 1

especially : the conscious self

2

a

: conceit sense 1

has a big ego

b

: self-respect sense 1

Medical Definition

ego

noun

ˈē-(ˌ)gō also ˈeg-(ˌ)ō

plural egos

1

: the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world

2

: the one of the three divisions of the psyche in psychoanalytic theory that serves as the organized conscious mediator between the person and reality especially by functioning both in the perception of and adaptation to reality compare id entry 1, superego