Meaning & use
self-obsession
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountabledisapproving
The state of thinking about yourself and your own life far too much.
Grammar: Uncountable: self-obsession, not 'a self-obsession' or 'self-obsessions' in this sense.
Patterns
- a culture of self-obsession
- self-obsession with something
Social media is often blamed for encouraging self-obsession among young people.
His self-obsession made it hard for him to notice other people's problems.
The novel is a study of one man's self-obsession and loneliness.
nouncountable or uncountablemedical
An unhealthy interest in a particular part of your own body, mind, or appearance.
Grammar: Can be countable when referring to a specific fixation: a self-obsession with weight.
Patterns
- a self-obsession with something
- self-obsession about something
Her self-obsession with her weight began in her teenage years.
The therapist treated his self-obsession about minor flaws in his appearance.
Word forms
| plural | self-obsessions |
|---|
Common combinations
- a culture of self-obsession
- Critics say the app has created a culture of self-obsession.
- self-obsession with appearance
- His self-obsession with appearance kept him in front of the mirror for hours.
- accuse someone of self-obsession
- The article accused the singer of self-obsession and vanity.
- a form of self-obsession
- Constantly checking your phone can be a form of self-obsession.
Synonyms and how they differ
- narcissism
- Narcissism is a stronger, more technical word for extreme love of oneself; self-obsession is a more everyday, disapproving term.
- self-centeredness
- Self-centeredness means caring mainly about yourself; self-obsession means thinking about yourself constantly.
- vanity
- Vanity is too much pride in your appearance or abilities; self-obsession is broader and can include your thoughts and feelings.
Opposites
Word family
- self-obsessed adjective
- Thinking about yourself far too much.
- obsession noun
- A thought or interest that you cannot stop having.
Commonly confused: self-obsession or self-obsession?
self-obsession vs self-obsession
Do not confuse with 'self-possession', which means calm control of your feelings and behavior.
Practice
The magazine criticized the celebrity for her ______, saying she talked only about herself.
Choose one answer.
'Self-obsession' means thinking about yourself too much, which matches the criticism. 'Self-possession' means calmness, which is a positive quality and does not fit the criticism.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “self-obsession”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.