egotism

[ee-guh-tiz-uhm, eg-uh-]

noun

1. excessive and objectionable reference to oneself in conversation or writing; conceit; boastfulness.

   Antonyms: altruism, modesty, humility

2. selfishness; self-centeredness; egoism.

egotism

/ ˈɛɡə-, ˈiːɡəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. an inflated sense of self-importance or superiority; self-centredness

2. excessive reference to oneself

egotism

1. An excessive regard for one's own talents or achievements; conceit, self-importance; acting with only one's own interests in mind.

Other Word Forms

• antiegotism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of egotism¹

First recorded in 1705–15; Latin ego ego + -ism; -t- perhaps after despotism, idiotism ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of egotism¹

C18: from Latin ego I + _-ism

Synonym Study

Egotism, egoism refer to preoccupation with one's ego or self. Egotism is the common word for obtrusive and excessive reference to and emphasis upon oneself and one's own importance: His egotism alienated all his friends. Egoism, a less common word, is used especially in philosophy, ethics, or metaphysics, where it emphasizes the importance of or preoccupation with self in relation to other things: sufficient egoism to understand one's central place in the universe. See also pride.

Example Sentences

For the rest of us, there is a real danger from the incentives towards egotism on social media.

From Salon

Trump’s iron grip on the Republican Party is a function of his irrationality, his limitless egotism and his mercurial whims.

From Salon

If Trump’s first term is any indicator, the next four years will be an unmitigated mess of infighting, corruption, revolving door staff, facile demands and fragile egotism.

From Los Angeles Times

McNeal’s ambivalence is boldly handled: Unbridled egotism is punctured with regret.

From Los Angeles Times

He is intensely competitive but without any of the suffocating self-seriousness or egotism of so many superstars.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogance 
• narcissism 
• self-absorption 
• selfishness