narcissist
narcissist Lexical Profile
narcissist Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves, their physical appearance, or their own achievements.
"He was such a narcissist that he could scarcely pass a storefront window without pausing to admire his reflection."
An individual diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, characterized clinically by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
"The therapist explained how a clinical narcissist often uses manipulation to maintain a fragile sense of superiority."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday conversation, 'narcissist' is used loosely to describe any vain or self-centered person, whereas in clinical psychology it refers specifically to someone diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century from the name of Narcissus, a handsome youth in Greek mythology who rejected the nymph Echo and fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water, eventually pining away and turning into the flower that bears his name.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.