narcissism

[ nahr-suh-siz-em ]

noun

1. inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.

   Synonyms: egocentrism, smugness

2. Psychiatry. narcissistic personality disorder ( def ).
3. Psychoanalysis. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development.

narcissism

/ ˈnɑːsɪˌsɪzəm; ˈnɑːˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. an exceptional interest in or admiration for oneself, esp one's physical appearance
2. sexual satisfaction derived from contemplation of one's own physical or mental endowments

narcissism

1. A consuming self-absorption or self-love; a type of egotism . Narcissists constantly assess their appearance, desires, feelings, and abilities.

Derived Forms

• ˌnarcisˈsistic, adjective
• ˈnarcissist, noun

Other Word Forms

• nar·cis·sist [nahr, -s, uh, -sist], nar·cist [nahr, -sist], noun
• nar·cis·sis·tic nar·cis·tic adjective
• non·nar·cism noun
• non·nar·cis·sism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcissism¹

First recorded in 1820–25, and in 1900–05 narcissism fordef 3; narcissus, -ism. The psychoanalysis meaning is from the German word Narzissismus, coined in 1899 by Paul Näcke (1851–1913), German psychiatrist and criminologist

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcissism¹

C19: from Narcissus

Example Sentences

Trump and Musk are grandiose, self-inflating blimps fueled by massive narcissism and perceived self-interest.

From Salon

Lost in the haze of Trump’s befuddled narcissism and fascism is the often ignored reality: this is not normal.

From Salon

"Toe-curlingly unlovable TV," said The Guardian, while The Telegraph, somewhat cruelly, called the series an "exercise in narcissism".

From BBC

Someone like Trump, whose narcissism feeds on a belief that people are bowing for him, is probably a far easier mark than most of the women who fell for Musk's phony groveling.

From Salon

His casual style epitomizes the intersection of narcissism and linguistics.

From Salon

Related Words

• arrogance
• self-absorption
• selfishness