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Definition of egotism

egotism

/ˈiːɡətɪzəm/
e · go · tism
Adverb:egotistically
•
Plural:egotisms
•
Adjective:egotistic
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egotism Lexical Profile

egotism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice of talking or thinking about oneself excessively because of an undue sense of self-importance.

Example

"His sheer egotism made it nearly impossible for him to listen to the ideas of his colleagues."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for egotism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for egotism

Word Nuance & Usage

While often used interchangeably in casual speech, 'egotism' specifically refers to an inflated sense of self-importance and the habit of talking excessively about oneself, whereas 'egoism' is a philosophical or ethical doctrine centered on self-interest as the foundation of morality.

• Nearby Words

egomania
egomaniac
egomaniacal
egotism
egotist
egotistic
egotistical

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 18th century by Joseph Addison from Latin 'ego' (meaning 'I') and the suffix '-ism' (with an inserted '-t-' on the model of words like 'dogmatism'), originally used to criticize authors who wrote excessively about themselves.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Egotism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/egotism
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