insecurity

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.

Here is “insecurity” used in a sentence: “His insecurity made him avoid speaking up in meetings.”

“Insecurity” is a noun.

The word “insecurity” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin insecuritas, built from insecure plus -ity.

“Insecurity” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Insecurity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lack of confidence in oneself.

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.

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.

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.

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.