Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Egoistical describes a person who is excessively focused on themselves, their own interests, and their own needs, often with little or no regard for the interests, feelings, or needs of others. It implies self-centeredness and selfishness.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • His egoistical behavior made it difficult for him to maintain friendships.
  • The manager's egoistical decision ignored the team's valuable input.
  • She was too egoistical to consider how her actions affected her family.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Psychological Context: In psychology, "egoistical" can relate to an inflated sense of self-importance, though the more clinical term is often "egotistical" or "narcissistic."
• Philosophical Context: In ethical discussions, an "egoistical" stance is one that prioritizes self-interest as the primary motive for action.
• "egoistical altruism": A paradoxical concept where a person helps others, but the underlying motivation is to benefit themselves (e.g., to feel good or look good).

Variants and Related Words

• Egotistical (adj): Very similar in meaning to "egoistical," often used interchangeably, though "egotistical" can place more emphasis on an inflated sense of self-importance and boastfulness.
  • He was so egotistical that he talked about himself for an hour.
• Egoism (n): The ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality, or more generally, the quality of being egoistical.
  • His philosophy was based on rational egoism.
• Egoist (n): A person who is egoistical; a self-centered person.
  • She was labeled an egoist for never volunteering to help.

Synonyms

• Self-centered: Interested only in oneself.
• Selfish: Lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.
• Self-absorbed: Preoccupied with one's own feelings, interests, or situation.
• Narcissistic: Having an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself.

Antonyms

• Altruistic: Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others.
• Selfless: Concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own.
• Humble: Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.

Idioms and Phrases

• To have a big ego: To be very egoistical or conceited.
  • It's hard to work with him; he has such a big ego.
• To be full of oneself: To be excessively proud of oneself; egoistical.
  • Ever since he got promoted, he's been completely full of himself.

Adjective

1. limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs