What does egotism mean?
Egotism refers to an excessive preoccupation with oneself — an inflated sense of one's own importance accompanied by a habitual tendency to bring conversation and thought back to the self. An egotistical person dominates discussion, craves admiration, and shows little genuine interest in others. The word derives from the Latin 'ego,' meaning 'I,' and entered English around the early eighteenth century, when it was sometimes used interchangeably with 'egoism.' Today the two are usually distinguished: egoism can denote a serious philosophical doctrine holding that self-interest properly motivates human action, whereas egotism almost always names a personal flaw — vanity, conceit, or self-absorption. Its connotations are firmly negative; calling someone egotistical criticises their character rather than describing neutral self-regard. Related forms include egotist, egotistic, and egotistical. The word remains useful precisely because it captures a recognisable human trait that simpler words like pride or confidence do not fully convey.
Excessive preoccupation with oneself and an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, especially as shown in speech or writing.
"Her memoir was criticised for the sheer egotism that ran through every chapter."
Almost always pejorative in modern use.
In philosophy: the view that the self is central to reality or that self-interest is the sole legitimate motive for action; in this sense largely superseded by 'egoism'.
"Early moral philosophers debated whether ethical egotism could ever be reconciled with duty."
Now rare; 'egoism' is the preferred modern term.
Rarely used in the plural; typically appears only when contrasting different individuals' instances of self-regard.
"The novel satirises the competing egotisms of two rival artists."
"Ego" is Latin for "I" — so every time someone is accused of egotism, they're literally being charged with too much "I."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of egotism
Egotism derives from the Latin pronoun 'ego,' meaning 'I,' combined with the suffix '-ism.' The word entered English in the early eighteenth century, initially appearing in philosophical contexts where it overlapped with 'egoism' in denoting doctrines centred on the self. Over time its meaning narrowed toward the personal sense of excessive self-regard, which is now its dominant use. It shares its root with a family of borrowings from the same Latin pronoun, including 'egoist,' 'egocentric,' and 'egomaniac.'
Related word forms
How egotism is actually used
Egotism carries a strongly negative connotation, implying vanity and self-absorption rather than healthy self-confidence. In modern usage it is often treated as interchangeable with egoism in everyday speech, though careful writers distinguish them: egoism can name a coherent philosophical position, while egotism almost always names a personal failing. The word is standard in both British and American English.
Easily confused with egotism
Egoism is primarily the ethical doctrine that self-interest is the proper basis of action (or simply self-centred behaviour), whereas egotism denotes an inflated sense of one's own importance and habitual self-reference.
An egotrip is an informal term for an act done purely to gratify one's own ego, while egotism is the underlying trait of self-preoccupation itself.