noun
Uncommon
insecurity
Insecurity (noun) means a lack of confidence in oneself. Example: “His insecurity made him avoid speaking up in meetings.”
noun
1
A lack of confidence in oneself.
"His insecurity made him avoid speaking up in meetings."
"Deep down, her insecurity about her accent stopped her making new friends."
"He hid his insecurity behind loud jokes and a confident smile."
2
A lack of safety, stability, or protection.
"Job insecurity was a major source of stress for the family."
"Food insecurity remains a serious issue in many regions."
"Living with so much insecurity, the villagers never knew if their homes would last the winter."
How to use insecurity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling unsure of yourself, or a lack of safety/stability in a situation.
Common pairings
job insecurity
food insecurity
deep insecurity
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Word forms
- Plural
- insecurities
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His _____ made him avoid speaking up in meetings.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin insecuritas, built from insecure plus -ity.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for insecurity
See all rhymes for insecurity →Frequently asked questions
What does “insecurity” mean?
The word “insecurity” means a lack of confidence in oneself. In plain terms, feeling unsure of yourself, or a lack of safety/stability in a situation.
How do you use “insecurity” in a sentence?
Here is “insecurity” used in a sentence: “His insecurity made him avoid speaking up in meetings.”
What part of speech is “insecurity”?
“Insecurity” is a noun.
Where does the word “insecurity” come from?
The word “insecurity” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin insecuritas, built from insecure plus -ity.
Is “insecurity” a common word?
“Insecurity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “insecurity” have?
“Insecurity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lack of confidence in oneself.
What is the difference between insecurity and anxiety?
Insecurity specifically refers to a lack of confidence in oneself, often tied to self-worth or doubts about a relationship or situation. Anxiety is broader and describes a general state of worry or unease that can arise from many sources, not just self-doubt. Insecurity can be one cause of anxiety, but the two words are not interchangeable.
Can insecurity refer to something other than personal feelings?
Yes. Besides describing a lack of confidence in oneself, insecurity can also describe a lack of safety, stability, or protection, as in financial insecurity or job insecurity. In this second sense the word describes external conditions rather than an internal emotional state.
What are common phrases that use the word insecurity?
Insecurity is frequently paired with words like feelings of insecurity, deep-seated insecurity, and insecurity about, followed by whatever is causing the self-doubt, such as appearance or performance. It also appears in compound phrases like job insecurity and financial insecurity when referring to a lack of stability.
Is insecurity always a negative trait?
Insecurity is generally viewed as an unwanted state because it involves self-doubt or instability, but it is considered a normal human experience rather than a flaw. Most people feel insecure in certain situations, and the word simply names that lack of confidence or stability without implying a permanent character trait.
