Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Excessively aware of and uncomfortable about one's own appearance or actions: Feeling awkward or embarrassed because you believe you are being observed and judged by others.
   • Aware of oneself as a distinct individual: Having a heightened awareness of one's own existence, actions, or thoughts.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • She felt self-conscious about her accent when speaking in front of the large audience.
  • He became self-conscious and stumbled over his words when everyone turned to look at him.
  • The actor's self-conscious performance lacked natural ease.
  • Philosophical discussions often involve self-conscious reflection on one's own beliefs.

Advanced Usage

• "self-consciously" (Adverb): In a manner that shows one is uncomfortably aware of oneself.
  • He smiled self-consciously after realizing his mistake.
• "self-consciousness" (Noun): The quality or state of being self-conscious.
  • Her self-consciousness diminished as she gained more experience.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-aware: Having conscious knowledge of one's own character and feelings. (This is often more neutral, while typically implies discomfort.)
• Bashful: Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
• Ill at ease: Anxious or uncomfortable.

Synonyms

• Awkward
• Embarrassed
• Uncomfortable
• Shy
• Inhibited

Antonyms

• Confident
• Unselfconscious
• Assured
• Poised

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To be conscious of oneself: This phrase relates to the core meaning but is less idiomatic than "self-conscious."
  • In the crowded room, he was acutely conscious of himself.

Adjective

1. excessively and uncomfortably conscious of your appearance or behavior
   • self-conscious teenagers
   • wondered if she could ever be untidy without feeling self-conscious about it
2. aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts
   • self-conscious awareness
   • self-conscious about their roles as guardians of the social values- D.M.Potter