adjective
C1
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self-conscious
self-KON-shuhs
Self-conscious (adjective) means Uncomfortably aware of being watched or judged by others, and awkward or embarrassed as a result. Example: “He was self-conscious about his accent and spoke as little as possible.”
adjective
1
Uncomfortably aware of being watched or judged by others, and awkward or embarrassed as a result.
"He was self-conscious about his accent and spoke as little as possible."
"She felt self-conscious walking into the room late."
2
Done with deliberate awareness of the effect it will have; knowingly artful rather than natural.
"The film is a self-conscious homage to 1970s thrillers."
3
philosophy, psychology Having awareness of oneself as a distinct individual with an inner life.
"Debate continues over which animals are genuinely self-conscious."
How to use self-conscious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling awkward because you think people are looking at you.
When to use it
Neutral and everyday; the philosophical sense is confined to academic writing.
Memory tip
The thing you worry about follows about: self-conscious about her height.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
self-conscious about
feel self-conscious
painfully self-conscious
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He was _____ about his accent and spoke as little as possible.
Synonyms
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awkward
embarrassed
ill at ease
shy
uncomfortable
deliberate
knowing
studied
calculated
self-aware
sentient
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for self-conscious
See all rhymes for self-conscious →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between self-conscious and self-aware?
Self-conscious is about discomfort, meaning you are worried about how you look to others. Self-aware is a positive quality, meaning you understand your own motives and effect on people. One makes you shrink, the other makes you clearer-sighted.
Is self-conscious hyphenated?
Yes, self-conscious keeps its hyphen in all standard varieties of English, and so does the noun self-consciousness.
What is the difference between self-conscious and insecure?
Self-conscious usually describes a feeling in a particular moment or about one specific thing, such as your teeth or your voice. Insecure describes a deeper, more general lack of confidence that follows you around.
What is the meaning of self-conscious?
"self-conscious" (adjective) means uncomfortably aware of being watched or judged by others, and awkward or embarrassed as a result.
