egotism

UK: /ˈiːgətɪz^əm/, /ˈɛgətɪz^əm/

US: /ˈigəˌtɪzəm/

US: (ē′gə tiz′əm, eg′ə-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

e•go•tism /ˈigəˌtɪzəm/   n. [uncountable]

1. too much reference to oneself in conversation or writing;
   conceit;
   self-centeredness.

e•go•tist, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

e•go•tism  (ē′gə tiz′əm, eg′ə-), n. 

1. excessive and objectionable reference to oneself in conversation or writing;
   conceit;
   boastfulness.
2. selfishness;
   self-centeredness;
   egoism.

• Latin ego ego + -ism; -t- perh. after despotism, idiotism²
• 1705–15

Synonyms

• 1. Egotism, egoism refer to preoccupation with one's ego or self.
  Egotism is the common word for obtrusive and excessive reference to and emphasis upon oneself and one's own importance:
  His egotism alienated all his friends.
  Egoism, a less common word, is used especially in philosophy, ethics, or metaphysics, where it emphasizes the importance of or preoccupation with self in relation to other things:
  sufficient egoism to understand one's central place in the universe.
  See also pride. 

Antonyms

• 1. humility, modesty, altruism.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

egotism / ˈiːɡəˌtɪzəm ˈɛɡə-/ noun

1. an inflated sense of self-importance or superiority; self-centredness
2. excessive reference to oneself

Etymology: 18th Century: from Latin ego I + -ism