self-esteem
Medium-HighFormal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
confidence in and respect for one's own worth and abilities.
A psychological concept describing an individual's overall subjective sense of personal value and self-worth, often based on beliefs about oneself and emotional states such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Predominantly a noun. Although related to confidence, it specifically refers to an enduring sense of one's own value, not just situational confidence. It can be used in psychological, educational, and everyday contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The concept is discussed similarly in both cultures.
Connotations
Generally carries the same positive connotations of mental/emotional health and a neutral-to-negative connotation when qualified (e.g., low self-esteem).
Frequency
Equally frequent and standard in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Her self-esteem grew.The programme is designed to boost children's self-esteem.He suffers from low self-esteem.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A blow to one's self-esteem.”
- “To have one's self-esteem in tatters.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussed in HR contexts regarding employee well-being, motivation, and leadership training.
Academic
A key concept in psychology, sociology, and education research papers.
Everyday
Common in conversations about personal development, parenting, and mental health.
Technical
Used in clinical psychology and counselling with specific diagnostic and therapeutic frameworks (e.g., Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No verb form in common use.
American English
- No verb form in common use.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form.
American English
- No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No direct adjective. Use 'self-esteem-related' or phrases like 'affecting self-esteem'.
- Her self-esteem issues were addressed.
American English
- No direct adjective. Use 'self-esteem-related' or phrases like 'self-esteem building'.
- The workshop focused on self-esteem boosting activities.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has good self-esteem.
- The teacher helps the children with their self-esteem.
- Playing sports can really boost a teenager's self-esteem.
- He has very low self-esteem after losing his job.
- Persistent criticism from his manager severely undermined his self-esteem.
- The charity runs programmes aimed at building self-esteem in vulnerable young people.
- The longitudinal study examined the correlation between academic achievement and fluctuations in self-esteem during adolescence.
- Her fragile self-esteem, a relic of childhood neglect, made her hypersensitive to perceived rejection.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SELF-ESTEEM as the STEAM (energy) that powers your SELF. High self-esteem gives you the steam to move forward confidently.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-ESTEEM IS A VALUABLE POSSESSION (to have, to lose, to build, to shatter). SELF-ESTEEM IS A FRAGILE OBJECT (fragile, damaged, broken).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'самоуважение' as the primary translation; it is closer to 'self-respect'. The most common translation is 'самооценка' (self-evaluation/assessment).
- Do not confuse with 'самоуверенность' (overconfidence/self-assurance).
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: Incorrect hyphenation (e.g., 'selfesteem', 'self esteem'). Correct form is hyphenated: 'self-esteem'.
- Usage: Confusing 'self-esteem' (internal value) with 'self-confidence' (belief in abilities for a specific task).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'self-esteem' in the sentence: 'The therapy focused on rebuilding her shattered self-esteem.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While related, 'self-esteem' is a broader, more stable sense of one's overall worth. 'Confidence' (or self-confidence) is more about belief in one's abilities for specific tasks or situations. You can have high self-esteem but low confidence in public speaking, for example.
Yes, when used as a compound noun before a noun (e.g., a self-esteem issue) or as a standalone noun, the standard form is hyphenated: 'self-esteem'.
Rarely in modern English. 'Esteem' alone typically means 'respect and admiration' for someone or something else (e.g., 'I hold him in high esteem'). For the internal, personal sense, 'self-esteem' is the required term.
It is a commonly used descriptive phrase in both everyday and clinical language. In clinical psychology, it is a symptom or feature of various conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders) and is often measured using validated scales, but it is not a standalone clinical diagnosis.
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