What does narcissist mean?
A narcissist is a person who is excessively preoccupied with their own importance, appearance, abilities, opinions, or personal needs, often to the exclusion of other people. In everyday use, the word can suggest vanity, egotism, or intense self-absorption, but these qualities do not automatically amount to a psychological disorder. The related clinical term narcissistic personality disorder names a specific condition requiring professional diagnosis and cannot be applied merely because someone is considered self-centered. The word follows the adjective narcissistic and the abstract noun narcissism. Its modern psychological sense developed from the Greek mythological name Narcissus and was substantially shaped by early twentieth-century psychoanalytic writing, especially Sigmund Freud's discussion of narcissistic personality. Today, “narcissist” is useful in both literary and psychological contexts because it captures a particularly persistent or conspicuous form of self-regard, although it should be used carefully when describing a real person.
nounA person who is excessively concerned with their own importance, appearance, abilities, or opinions, especially at the expense of other people.
- A person who is excessively preoccupied with their own importance, appearance, abilities, or opinions, especially at the expense of others.
"Her colleague dismissed her as a narcissist, although her behaviour was better explained by insecurity."
"The interview revealed an intelligent candidate whose habitual self-absorption made him seem like a narcissist."
"The novel portrays the aging artist as a narcissist whose talent has become indistinguishable from conceit."
The regular plural is narcissists.
"The article considers how narcissists may exploit admiration to reinforce their sense of superiority."
A narcissist shares a name with the mythological youth who became captivated by his own reflection, giving the word its enduringly self-focused image.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of narcissist
The word comes through Greek Narkissos, the name of the mythological youth associated with his own reflection, and Latin narcissus, a name also used for the plant. English forms based on Narcissus became prominent in the early twentieth century, especially following Sigmund Freud's 1913 discussion of narcissistic personality. Derivatives such as narcissism and narcissistic developed alongside this modern psychological sense.
Related word forms
How narcissist is actually used
The term is usually derogatory and is not a clinical diagnosis by itself. Its use can describe ordinary vanity or self-absorption, while clinical discussion generally reserves more precise labels for diagnosed personality disorders.
Easily confused with narcissist
Narcissistic is the adjective describing someone characterized by narcissism, whereas a narcissist is the person so characterized.