ego
EE-goh
Ego (noun) means a person's sense of their own importance and self-worth. Example: “His ego was bruised when nobody noticed his new haircut.”
noun
1
A person's sense of their own importance and self-worth.
"His ego was bruised when nobody noticed his new haircut."
"Winning the award did wonders for his ego."
"She has a huge ego and hates being contradicted."
2
(psychology) In Freudian theory, the part of the mind that deals rationally with reality, balancing instinct against conscience.
"In the textbook, the ego tries to keep our urges in check while facing reality."
"According to Freud, a weak ego struggles to balance what we want with what is right."
"The therapist explained how the ego mediates between desire and guilt."
How to use ego
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither someone's self-image and pride, or (in psychology) the rational, reality-facing part of the mind.
Common mistake
Everyday "ego" (self-importance) and the Freudian "ego" are related but not identical — don't assume every use is technical.
Common pairings
bruised ego
a big ego
boost someone's ego
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Word forms
- Plural
- egos
- Third person singular
- egos
- Past tense
- egoed, ego'd
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ was bruised when nobody noticed his new haircut.
Etymology
Straight from Latin ego, "I" — Freud's English translators picked it to render his German term das Ich ("the I").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ego
See all rhymes for ego →Frequently asked questions
What does “ego” mean?
The word “ego” means a person's sense of their own importance and self-worth. In plain terms, either someone's self-image and pride, or (in psychology) the rational, reality-facing part of the mind.
How do you pronounce “ego”?
“Ego” is pronounced EE-goh (/ˈiɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ego” in a sentence?
Here is “ego” used in a sentence: “Winning the award did wonders for his ego.”
What is another word for “ego”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ego” include I and Ich.
What part of speech is “ego”?
“Ego” is a noun.
Where does the word “ego” come from?
The word “ego” comes from Latin. Straight from Latin ego, "I" — Freud's English translators picked it to render his German term das Ich ("the I").
Is “ego” a common word?
“Ego” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “ego” have?
“Ego” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's sense of their own importance and self-worth.
What is the difference between ego and self-esteem?
Ego is a person's sense of their own importance, and in everyday use it often suggests an inflated one, as in "a big ego." Self-esteem is confidence in one's own worth and is generally treated as healthy. Saying someone has a big ego is a criticism, while saying they have good self-esteem is not.
What is the difference between the id, the ego, and the superego?
In Freudian psychology, the ego is the part of the mind that deals rationally with reality, balancing instinct against conscience. The id supplies the raw instincts and desires, the superego acts as the conscience, and the ego mediates between them and the demands of the real world.
What is the plural of ego?
The plural of ego is "egos," not "egoes." Nouns ending in -o vary in English, but ego simply adds -s, as in "a clash of egos."
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