self-esteem

noun

self-es·​teem ˌself-ə-ˈstēm 

1

: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : self-respect

2

: self-conceit

Synonyms

• ego
• pride
• pridefulness
• self-regard
• self-respect

Examples of self-esteem in a Sentence

friends and family have tried to help the shy child develop some self-esteem

his towering self-esteem made praise from other people entirely unnecessary

the kind of self-esteem that a struggling actor needs to keep going in the face of constant discouragement and rejection

Recent Examples on the Web

Heavy social media use and posting regret are associated with lower self-esteem among middle and high school students Psychotherapist specializing in the mental health impacts of social media. —Carina Woudenberg, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

The moon’s clash with Neptune tanks your self-esteem. —USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Moynihan argued that many Black boys often lacked strong masculine presences in their families, which damaged their self-esteem and the productivity of their adult economic lives. —Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

For example, while both men and women reported a lack of financial reward as a barrier to success, only men reported a hit to their self-esteem as a negative outcome of that particular barrier. —Lindsay Kohler, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

self-esteem

noun

self-es·​teem

ˌsel-fə-ˈstēm

1

: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : self-respect

2

: an exaggerated opinion of one's own abilities : self-conceit