Narcissism Meaning
/ˈnɑːsəˌsɪzm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA self-centered personality trait in which the person is infatuated with their own characteristics and image that are idealized while others and their differences are devalued in comparison (unless sameness kindles spectacular affinity that forms a rerouting of one's self-love, i.e. the person can see themselves in the other).
nounSexual desire for one's own body.
Sentence Examples
Narcissism means 'to be more confident'.
Narcissism, paranoia and a tendency to bullying have characterized Tom since his unhappy childhood.
I don't think it's narcissism; it's just ordinary vanity.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His constant self-admiration and lack of empathy showed his extreme ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The psychologist explained that extreme ____ is characterized by an excessive interest in oneself and a very strong lack of empathy for others.
Word Origin & History
From obsolete German Narzissismus (now Narzissmus by haplology), from Narziss (“Narcissus”) + -ism. By surface analysis, Narciss(us) (“character in Greek mythology who became obsessed with his own reflection”) + -ism.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Although the researchers found that, on average, narcissism gradually declined as people aged, “the results show that this decline is not as large as one might hope,” said Ulrich Orth, the lead author of the paper and a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Bern in Switzerland."
— 2024 November 7, Christina Caron, “Narcissism Is a Trait That’s Hard to Shake, Study Says”, in The New York Times:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
His constant self-admiration and lack of empathy showed his extreme ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The psychologist explained that extreme ____ is characterized by an excessive interest in oneself and a very strong lack of empathy for others.