What does narcissism mean?
Narcissism means an excessive or pathological preoccupation with oneself, especially a need to be admired and a tendency to regard one's own qualities as exceptional. In ordinary use, it describes behaviour that appears self-centered, vain, or insensitive to other people's needs and feelings. The term can also be used in psychology and psychiatry when discussing pathological patterns involving grandiosity, entitlement, fragile self-esteem, and a persistent desire for attention or admiration. It should not automatically be treated as a clinical diagnosis; formal assessment requires consideration of a person's broader pattern of functioning and the presence of a recognised disorder. The word has strong negative connotations and is often used to condemn public figures or portray fictional characters whose self-regard obscures their relationships with others. At the same time, narcissism derives from a striking classical myth and gives English a vivid vocabulary for describing extreme self-absorption and its social consequences.
nounExcessive or pathological love of oneself, especially a preoccupation with one's own importance, beauty, abilities, or need for admiration.
- Excessive love of oneself and a strong preoccupation with one's own worth, appearance, or importance.
- Pathological narcissism characterized by grandiosity, a need for admiration, and difficulty recognizing the needs or feelings of others.
"Her performance was so dominated by self-admiration that the critics dismissed it as narcissism."
"The portrait is compelling, but its calculated narcissism can make the subject difficult to empathize with."
"In clinical writing, narcissism may refer to a pattern of grandiosity and excessive need for admiration."
Rare and unusual; the word is normally used as a mass noun, but the plural can distinguish separate instances or forms of self-absorption.
"The analysis distinguished several narcissisms within the character's otherwise appealing personality."
The flower, the myth, and the personality trait all share one name: Narcissus, the youth who fell in love with his own reflection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does narcissism come from?
The word comes through New Latin narcissismus from the name Narcissus, the Greek mythological youth who became enamoured of his own reflection and was transformed into the narcissus flower. The botanical name likewise commemorates the myth. Narcissism entered English in the early 17th century in the sense of excessive self-love, and later acquired psychological and psychiatric associations.
Related word forms
How narcissism is actually used
The word is usually critical or pejorative when applied to people, even outside clinical contexts. In professional diagnosis, clinicians distinguish narcissistic traits from narcissistic personality disorder rather than using the noun alone as a diagnosis.
Easily confused with narcissism
Narcissism is the noun naming the trait or condition, while narcissistic is the adjective describing a person, behaviour, or quality characterized by it.