egotism

noun

ego·​tism ˈē-gə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce egotism (audio)
 also  ˈe-
1
a
: excessive use of the first person singular personal pronoun
b
: the practice of talking about oneself too much
2
: an exaggerated sense of self-importance : conceit compare egoism sense 2
egotist
ˈē-gə-tist How to pronounce egotism (audio)
 also  ˈe-
noun

Example Sentences

In his egotism he thought everyone was coming just to see him. for someone who has won a Nobel Prize in physics, he is remarkably without egotism
Recent Examples on the Web Elsewhere, Randall tells Beth HE needs to be in charge of Rebecca's care, because Kate is overwhelmed, and Kevin is too irresponsible (the egotism is rampant). Amanda Ostuni, EW.com, 11 May 2022 Obama’s spiritual rendering of our cultural decline goes some way toward explaining why, beyond sheer egotism, he’s set on remaining an active narrator and promoter of his own story. Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Nov. 2020 The Fabelmans combines family therapy with Hollywood egotism, letting careerism heals all wounds. Armond White, National Review, 27 Jan. 2023 Every instrument sounds individually miked, and the balances done in the editing room meant to underscore a sense of massive egotism. Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2023 The adjective has been paired with everything from egotism to irony to fascism. Adam Kirsch, The New Republic, 21 Oct. 2022 Studies 5-7 provided experimental support for implicit egotism. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2011 Paradoxically, her egotism can transcend self-obsession to make her work an exploration of female experience tout court, and that, too, is a hope. Sasha Frere-jones, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022 As with many Shakespearean characters, Moses’s arc is a fall from idealism to egotism. Maureen Dowd, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'egotism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin ego + English -tism (as in idiotism)

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of egotism was in 1714

Dictionary Entries Near egotism

Cite this Entry

“Egotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egotism. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

egotism

noun
ego·​tism ˈē-gə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce egotism (audio)
1
: the practice of talking about oneself too much
2
: an overly high opinion of one's own importance : conceit
egotist noun
egotistic adjective
or egotistical
egotistically adverb

Medical Definition

egotism

noun
ego·​tism
ˈē-gə-ˌtiz-əm also ˈeg-ə-
: an exaggerated sense of self-importance compare egoism sense 2

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