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

At one point, Djordjevic traces the ridges of tree bark with the palm of his hand, self-conscious but hopeful of some sort of revelation. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025

People with either condition may feel self-conscious about itching or visible signs of lice or dandruff. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 2 Feb. 2025

Sure, the cast understood the franchise well enough, but that mostly led to a lot of self-conscious performing of Housewifery. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025

The goal here, in focusing on language, is not to shame anyone or to make people self-conscious about their use of words. —Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025

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