Definition

Noun: 1. The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; a sense of one's own value as a person. It refers to an internal feeling of being good enough and deserving of happiness, separate from external achievements or validation.

Usage

• Self-worth is an uncountable noun.
• It describes a fundamental, internal belief about one's own value.
• It is often discussed in contexts of psychology, personal development, and emotional well-being.
• It is closely related to, but distinct from, self-esteem. While self-esteem can fluctuate based on performance, self-worth is often considered a more stable, inherent sense of value.

Examples

• Her self-worth was not dependent on her job title or salary.
• Therapy helped him rebuild his self-worth after the difficult relationship.
• A strong sense of self-worth is essential for mental health.
• He struggled with feelings of low self-worth for many years.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a strong/solid sense of self-worth": To possess a stable and positive internal valuation of oneself.
  • Having a solid sense of self-worth allows you to handle criticism constructively.
• "To derive self-worth from [something]": To base one's sense of value on an external factor.
  • It is unhealthy to derive all your self-worth from social media likes.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-esteem (n): Confidence in one's own worth or abilities. (Often used more interchangeably, though nuanced differences exist).
• Self-respect (n): Pride and confidence in oneself; a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity.
• Self-confidence (n): A feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment. (More focused on capability than inherent value).

Synonyms

• Dignity
• Self-respect
• Self-regard
• Pride (in a positive sense)

Antonyms

• Insecurity
• Self-doubt
• Worthlessness
• Inferiority complex

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To know one's own worth": To be aware of one's own value, abilities, and what one deserves.
  • In negotiations, it's important to know your own worth.
• "A blow to one's self-worth": An event or comment that damages one's sense of personal value.
  • Losing the job was a severe blow to his self-worth.

Noun

1. the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
   • it was beneath his dignity to cheat
   • showed his true dignity when under pressure