self-esteem

noun

self-es·​teem ˌself-ə-ˈstēm How to pronounce self-esteem (audio)
1
: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : self-respect
2

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for self-esteem 

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-esteem was in 1619

Dictionary Entries Near self-esteem

Cite this Entry

“Self-esteem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-esteem. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on self-esteem

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!