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self-absorbed

self-absorbed

38 6.3
A person who thinks only about their own needs and not about other people
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛlf əbˈzɔrbd/
  • Offensive
translation icon : egocéntrico
  • She is often self-absorbed, talking endlessly about her own problems without asking about anyone else's.

But these people are generally very self absorbed and they're sullen.

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Examples

  • As a child, she had been unusually self-absorbed and was therefore considered artistic.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Schiller was probably the most ambitious of the three, and certainly the most self-absorbed.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • I find that a lot of them are already married or just kind of like self absorbed in a way.

  • Those two are the most self-absorbed people on the planet.

  • It's just that most guys our age are completely self-absorbed, you know?

  • I have been super self-absorbed lately.

  • I spent all this time feeling guilty, and he's so self-absorbed.

  • Nor did the young scholar announce himself or talk to anyone; he was withdrawn and self-absorbed.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Koenig eats quickly, self-absorbed, as though eager to be on his way.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • And in hindsight, you know, I, I realize those things, but you know, as a kid you're, you know, kind of self absorbed with what's going on with you.

Synonyms

selfish
vsself-absorbed
458 1.0

Caring only about yourself and not about other people

is about concern for own interests rather than awareness of others
narcissistic
vsself-absorbed
58 7.8

Being sure you are much more important than other people

is about being concerned with own interests rather than feeling superior
self-centered
vsself-absorbed
  • US
56 3.9

A person who is only interested in their own needs and not in other people's feelings

focuses on personal interests without awareness or interest in others
egotistical
vsself-absorbed
  • Offensive
24 6.6

Seeing yourself as much more important than other people

is focused on personal interests rather than on feeling superior
self-involved
vsself-absorbed
9 7.0

Being only interested in your own needs and feelings

focuses on personal interests and thoughts rather than activities
egomaniacal
vsself-absorbed
  • Offensive
6 8.6

A person who only cares about themselves and thinks they are more important than other people

is about concern for interests not a pathological obsession with personal identity
solipsistic
vsself-absorbed
3 9.9

Thinking only about yourself and ignoring other people's needs

is about concern for personal interests rather than denying others existence
egoistic
vsself-absorbed
2 7.4

Caring only about your own needs and wants

prioritizes own interests over awareness or interest in other people
egotistic
vsself-absorbed
  • Offensive
1 7.2

Thinking you are more important than other people

emphasizes acting for personal interest rather than boasting of worth
self-seeking
vsself-absorbed
1 6.9

A person who cares only about their own gain and ignores other people

is about personal interest without specific focus on gaining advantage
egoistical
vsself-absorbed
7.6

Thinking only about yourself and not about other people

is about being unaware or uninterested in other people
self-conceited
vsself-absorbed
7.7

Thinking you are better than other people

is about concern for personal interests rather than about pride in worth
full of oneself
vsself-absorbed
  • Informal
6.9

Thinking you are better than other people

is about personal interest and lack of awareness not mere arrogance

Antonyms

72 3.2

Caring more about other people's needs than your own

23 6.7

Wanting to help other people even when it costs you

How Self-Absorbed

narcissistic
58 7.8
self-absorbed
  • Offensive
38 6.3
self-centered
  • US
56 3.9

Surface Forms

self-absorbed positive

Morphology

self-absorbed = absorbed (transparent) = self + absorb + ed

The meaning is directly derived from 'self' + 'absorbed' (absorbed in oneself), a productive and regular use of the 'self-' prefix.

Etymology

Self-absorbed comes from self ('your own') and absorb ('to take in' or 'to soak up'), like a sponge. So a self-absorbed person 'soaks up' their own thoughts and attention and pays little attention to other people.