solipsism

[ sol-ip-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.
2. extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.

solipsism

/ ˈsɒlɪpˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the extreme form of scepticism which denies the possibility of any knowledge other than of one's own existence

solipsism

1. The belief that all reality is just one's own imagining of reality, and that one's self is the only thing that exists.

Derived Forms

• ˌsolipˈsistic, adjective
• ˈsolipsist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• solip·sismal adjective
• solip·sist noun adjective
• sol·ip·sis·tic [sol-ip-, sis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of solipsism¹

1880–85; sol(i)- ¹ + Latin ips ( e ) self + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of solipsism¹

C19: from Latin sōlus alone + ipse self

Example Sentences

Or perhaps it’s progress, moving from solipsism to community.

From Los Angeles Times

But the 11th season's pandemic response tapped a swollen vein of solipsism and antipathy running under our collective skin.

From Salon

Koch was implicitly raising what I call the solipsism problem, to which I will return.

From Scientific American

MariNaomi worries that our relationships, our feelings, our selves may be nothing but thoughts — a sad collage of solipsism.

From Los Angeles Times

She is no less memorable here, as a woman whose blithely oblivious solipsism irks Lizzy.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• egoism
• self-containment
• subjectivity