egomaniac
Low (C2)Informal, often pejorative
Definition
Meaning
A person who is obsessively or pathologically self-centered and has an excessive preoccupation with themselves.
Someone displaying extreme egotism, arrogance, and narcissism, often to the point of disregarding others' feelings and needs. While not a formal clinical diagnosis, it implies a psychological state characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term carries strong negative connotations and is typically used as an accusation or criticism rather than a neutral description. It implies the behavior is extreme and pathological, beyond simple self-confidence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning and register.
Connotations
Slightly stronger and more clinical in British usage, often implying a diagnosable condition. In American usage, it can be used more loosely as a hyperbolic insult.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, but common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is an egomaniac.They accused [Object] of being an egomaniac.He behaved with the arrogance of an egomaniac.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He/She] is on an ego trip.”
- “Suffering from a God complex.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used critically to describe a CEO or manager whose self-aggrandizing decisions harm the company. (e.g., 'The board ousted the egomaniac who nearly bankrupted the firm.')
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; more likely in psychology or sociology discussions about personality or leadership styles.
Everyday
Used as a strong insult for someone perceived as unbearably self-obsessed. (e.g., 'My neighbour is an egomaniac who talks about himself for hours.')
Technical
Not a technical diagnostic term in psychology (DSM-5 uses Narcissistic Personality Disorder), but used in popular psychology discourse.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- His egomaniacal behaviour alienated the entire team.
- The director's egomaniacal demands were legendary.
American English
- Her egomaniacal rant was captured on video.
- It was a display of pure, egomaniacal arrogance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The celebrity was rumoured to be a complete egomaniac off-camera.
- Working for an egomaniac is exhausting because your work is never appreciated.
- His memoirs revealed him not as a visionary leader but as a petty egomaniac obsessed with his legacy.
- The politician's egomaniacal drive propelled him to the top but ultimately caused his spectacular downfall.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EGO + MANIAC. Someone whose EGO is so big it drives them like a MANIAC.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SELF IS A MONARCH / THE SELF IS THE UNIVERSE (The egomaniac acts as if they are the ruler of all they survey or the center around which everything revolves.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'эгоманьяк' as it is not a standard Russian term. The closest common equivalents are 'эгоист' (egoist/selfish person) or 'самовлюблённый тип' (self-admiring type). 'Мегалома́н' (megalomaniac) is closer in intensity but refers more to delusions of grandeur/power.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'egomaniac' (obsessive self-love) with 'megalomaniac' (obsessive desire for power). Using it as a clinical term. Misspelling as 'egomainiac'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'egomaniac' in a clinical context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a formal diagnostic term in psychology or psychiatry. The closest clinical concept is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). 'Egomaniac' is a popular, informal term with strong negative connotations.
An 'egotist' is self-centered and boastful. An 'egomaniac' implies a much more extreme, obsessive, and potentially pathological level of self-involvement. 'Egomaniac' is stronger and more accusatory.
Yes, but cautiously. It is often used in hyperbolic or humorous criticism among friends (e.g., 'Don't be such an egomaniac, it's not all about you!'), but it remains a strong insult if taken seriously.
The primary adjective form is 'egomaniacal' (e.g., egomaniacal behaviour). The form 'egomaniac' is almost exclusively a noun.