egotism
C1formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
An excessive and obtrusive preoccupation with oneself and one's own importance; self-centeredness.
The tendency to speak or write about oneself excessively, often with an exaggerated sense of superiority; a philosophical doctrine that places the self at the center of reality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
'Egotism' focuses on self-importance and self-praise, distinct from 'egoism' (ethical theory prioritizing self-interest) and 'narcissism' (excessive self-love/admiration, often pathological).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, implying arrogance and lack of regard for others.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written, formal, and literary contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
display/show (a) egotismbe driven by egotisma sign of egotismaccuse someone of egotismegotism prevents someone from...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Blind with egotism”
- “A slave to one's own egotism”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Criticised in leadership, e.g., 'His egotism alienated the team and derailed the project.'
Academic
Used in psychology, philosophy, and literary criticism to analyse character or ideology.
Everyday
Used to criticise someone perceived as unbearably self-important.
Technical
In philosophy, may refer to solipsism or specific ethical doctrines.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- His behaviour egotised his every achievement.
- She egotises to a tedious degree.
American English
- He egotized throughout the entire meeting.
- The memoir egotizes relentlessly.
adverb
British English
- He spoke egotistically for an hour.
- She behaved egotistically.
American English
- He wrote egotistically about his life.
- She acted egotistically.
adjective
British English
- His egotistic rambling bored everyone.
- An egotistical worldview.
American English
- Her egotistic behavior was off-putting.
- An egotistical rant.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He shows a lot of egotism when he talks.
- I don't like his egotism.
- His incredible egotism made it impossible to have a two-way conversation.
- The politician's speech was criticized for its blatant egotism.
- The artist's creative brilliance was unfortunately marred by his profound egotism, which alienated his patrons.
- Her memoir was dismissed by critics as an exercise in unreflective egotism, lacking any broader insight.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EGO + tism. It's the 'ism' (doctrine/practice) of the EGO – making your ego a central belief system.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SELF IS A CENTRE (The world revolves around me), SELF-IMPORTANCE IS SIZE (An inflated ego).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'эгоизм' (egoism/selfishness). 'Egotism' is more about self-praise than just self-interest. Closer to 'самовлюблённость', 'самомнение'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'egotism' with 'egoism'. Using it to mean simple shyness or introversion. Spelling as 'egotistism'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the closest synonym to 'egotism' in its common negative usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Egotism' is about excessive self-centeredness and talking about oneself. 'Egoism' is an ethical philosophy that self-interest is the motive of all action, or simply selfishness.
Yes, in modern usage it is almost exclusively negative, describing an unlikeable excess of self-regard.
Very rarely. In some historical literary contexts, it might be framed as a necessary drive for artists, but it is overwhelmingly pejorative.
It is a noun. The related adjective is 'egotistic' or 'egotistical', and the person is an 'egotist'.
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