low self-esteem
Low self-esteem (noun) means a persistently poor opinion of your own worth and abilities, showing up as harsh self-criticism, expecting to fail, difficulty accepting praise and putting other people's needs first. Example: “Years of criticism at home left her with low self-esteem.”
How to use low self-esteem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThinking badly of yourself and feeling you are not good enough.
Everyday and clinical alike. In psychology it describes a trait, not a disorder, and it is treated as a symptom or risk factor rather than a diagnosis.
Self-esteem is hyphenated and uncountable. Say she has low self-esteem, not a low self-esteem.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years of criticism at home left her with _____.
Etymology
Esteem comes via Old French estimer from Latin aestimare, to value or appraise, so self-esteem is literally the value you place on yourself.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for low self-esteem
See all rhymes for low self-esteem →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between low self-esteem and low self-confidence?
Self-esteem is how much you value yourself as a person overall. Self-confidence is how capable you feel at particular things. Someone can be a confident public speaker and still have low self-esteem, because the two operate at different levels.
What causes low self-esteem?
It usually builds from repeated experiences rather than a single event: harsh or neglectful parenting, bullying, academic or workplace failure, discrimination, abusive relationships, or living with a chronic illness or mental health condition. Temperament and depression can also make a person more prone to it.
Is low self-esteem a mental illness?
No. It is a trait that appears in many conditions, notably depression, anxiety and eating disorders, and it can raise the risk of developing them, but it is not itself a diagnosis in the DSM or ICD.
What is the meaning of low self-esteem?
"low self-esteem" (noun) means a persistently poor opinion of your own worth and abilities, showing up as harsh self-criticism, expecting to fail, difficulty accepting praise and putting other people's needs first.