self-knowledge

American

[self-nol-ij, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈnɒl ɪdʒ, ˈsɛlf- /

noun

knowledge or understanding of oneself, one's character, abilities, motives, etc.

self-knowledge British

noun

knowledge of one's own character, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of self-knowledge

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In time, he is undone by his utter lack of self-knowledge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

"These findings suggest that reaching to the body may be equally important and that exploring the body is the gateway to self-knowledge."

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2024

Hers is a world where logic does not reign, independence is essential and the unconscious is a mechanism for self-knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2024

To be able to play T20 at 41 calls for the kind of self-knowledge and fitness that Dhoni has been exhibiting.

From BBC • May 15, 2023

When you read this way, characters go from hope to despair, from self-knowledge to doubt.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023