self-conscious

adjective

self-con·​scious ˌself-ˈkän(t)-shəs 

1

a

: conscious of one's own acts or states as belonging to or originating in oneself : aware of oneself as an individual

b

: intensely aware of oneself : conscious

a rising and self-conscious social class

also : produced or done with such awareness

self-conscious art

2

: uncomfortably conscious of oneself as an object of the observation of others : ill at ease

self-consciously adverb

self-consciousness noun

Examples of self-conscious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like Ye’s 2016 album The Life of Pablo, its form continues to solidify even after release; like SOS, its core theme is addressing an imbalance between the outward celebrity and shot-caller and the long-suffering lover and sometimes self-conscious overthinker behind the scenes. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025

But there’s something overripe about the image, a self-conscious baroqueness that troubles the line between humor and horror. —Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025

The museum’s stuffiness reflects ‘Los Four’s’ self-conscious scruffiness. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

For some students, especially self-conscious teenagers, the prospect of not wearing deodorant can be anxiety-inducing, Abraham says. —Isabella Rosario, Outside Online, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

self-conscious

adjective

self-con·​scious

ˈself-ˈkän-chəs

: uncomfortably conscious of oneself as an object of the observation of others

self-consciously adverb

self-consciousness noun