Definition

1. Noun:
   • Excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance: A personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
   • Self-centeredness: A condition where one's interest is primarily or exclusively focused on oneself, often to the exclusion or detriment of others.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His constant need for compliments and praise was a clear sign of his narcissism.
  • The article discussed how social media might be contributing to a rise in cultural narcissism.
  • In psychology, narcissism exists on a spectrum from healthy self-esteem to a pathological personality disorder.

Advanced Usage

• "Pathological narcissism": Refers to Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), a clinical condition.
  • The therapist specialized in treating clients with pathological narcissism.
• "Collective or cultural narcissism": Used to describe a group or society characterized by excessive self-interest or self-centeredness.
  • Some critics argue that the era was marked by a cultural narcissism that valued image over substance.

Variants and Related Words

• Narcissist (n): A person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves.
  • He was such a narcissist that he could talk about himself for hours.
• Narcissistic (adj): Having the characteristics of narcissism.
  • Her narcissistic tendencies made it difficult for her to maintain friendships.
• Narcissistically (adv): In a manner characterized by narcissism.
  • He behaved narcissistically, ignoring the needs of his team.

Synonyms

• Self-absorption: Preoccupation with one's own emotions, interests, or situation.
• Vanity: Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.
• Egotism: The practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an undue sense of self-importance.
• Self-centeredness: Concerned solely with one's own desires, needs, or interests.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Narcissistic supply": (Psychology) The attention, admiration, or other forms of validation that a narcissist requires.
  • The celebrity seemed to thrive on the narcissistic supply provided by adoring fans.
• "To be one's own narcissist": A phrase emphasizing extreme self-involvement.
  • With his new obsession with selfies, he's become his own narcissist.

Noun

1. an exceptional interest in and admiration for yourself
   • self-love that shut out everyone else