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

Missionary’s concerted push for cross-pollinating radio markets while delivering the beefy, energetic music populating video-game soundtracks feels a bit self-conscious for a duo that earned these achievements a generation ago through sheer unruly magnetism. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024

Social Studies suggests that the bigger problem is that the overwhelming litany of apps has been designed to make young users feel self-conscious. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024

Yet the complications inherent in such questions — in Yana-Wara’s life, really — are rarely glimpsed in these otherwise self-conscious performances. —Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024

Lacking the self-conscious grimness of Arrow that initially kept it away from four-color adventures, The Flash was immediately liberated to go full comic book, kickstarting the small-screen answer to the MCU. —Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 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