Egocentric: meaning, definitions and examples

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egocentric

 

[ ˌiːɡoʊˈsɛntrɪk ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

personality trait

Thinking only of oneself, without regard for the feelings or desires of others. Egocentric individuals tend to prioritize their own needs and wants above all else.

Synonyms

egotistical, self-absorbed, self-centered, selfish.

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Word Description / Examples
egocentric

Used to describe someone who is focused on themselves without considering others. It is more neutral and can be used in psychological terms.

  • He has an egocentric way of thinking, often forgetting others' needs.
  • Her egocentric nature made her difficult to work with.
self-centered

Used to describe someone who prioritizes their own needs and desires over others. Typically has a negative connotation.

  • She is so self-centered that she didn't think about how her actions could affect others.
  • His self-centered behavior is damaging his relationships.
self-absorbed

Describes someone who is preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings. This is often used negatively.

  • He is so self-absorbed that he didn't even notice his friend's distress.
  • It's hard to have a conversation with someone so self-absorbed.
selfish

Used to describe someone who lacks consideration for others and only cares about their own advantage. This has a strong negative connotation.

  • Taking the last piece of cake without asking was very selfish of him.
  • Her selfish decision caused a lot of trouble for everyone involved.
egotistical

Used to describe someone with an inflated sense of self-importance. This has a negative connotation.

  • John's egotistical attitude annoyed everyone in the office.
  • She is so egotistical that she never listens to anyone else's opinions.

Examples of usage

  • He was so egocentric that he never considered how his actions affected those around him.
  • Her egocentric behavior made it difficult for her to maintain close relationships.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

A person who is excessively focused on themselves and lacks empathy for others. Egocentrics often struggle to see things from another person's perspective.

Synonyms

egotist, egotist, narcissist.

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Word Description / Examples
egocentric

Used when describing someone who is self-centered and only concerned with their own needs and desires.

  • John is so egocentric, he never thinks about how his actions affect others
  • She has an egocentric view of the world, believing she is always right
narcissist

Describes someone who has an excessive interest in or admiration for themselves and a lack of empathy for others. This term often has a strong negative connotation.

  • A narcissist often manipulates others to get what they want
  • He acts like a narcissist, constantly seeking attention and admiration from everyone
egotist

Refers to someone who is excessively self-absorbed and constantly talks about themselves, usually in a boastful manner.

  • Mark is such an egotist; he never stops bragging about his achievements
  • Being an egotist, she always redirects conversations to her own experiences

Examples of usage

  • The patient's egocentric tendencies made it challenging for the therapist to establish a connection.
  • Her egocentricity was evident in the way she always steered conversations back to herself.

Translations

Translations of the word "egocentric" in other languages:

🇵🇹 egocêntrico

🇮🇳 आत्मकेंद्रित

🇩🇪 egozentrisch

🇮🇩 egosentris

🇺🇦 егоцентричний

🇵🇱 egocentryczny

🇯🇵 自己中心的 (じこちゅうしんてき)

🇫🇷 égocentrique

🇪🇸 egocéntrico

🇹🇷 egoist

🇰🇷 자기 중심적인

🇸🇦 أناني

🇨🇿 egocentrický

🇸🇰 egocentrický

🇨🇳 自我中心的 (zìwǒ zhōngxīn de)

🇸🇮 egocentričen

🇮🇸 sjálfhverfur

🇰🇿 эгоцентрист

🇬🇪 ეგოცენტრული

🇦🇿 eqosentrik

🇲🇽 egocéntrico

Etymology

The word 'egocentric' originated from the combination of 'ego', meaning self, and 'centric', meaning centered. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe individuals who were excessively focused on themselves and lacked consideration for others. The concept of egocentrism has been studied in psychology, particularly in relation to child development and personality traits.

See also: ego, egocentrically, egocentrism, egoism, egotism, egotist, egotistic, egotistical, egotistically.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,076, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.