self-importance
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.48 in modern English
23
Scrabble Score
14
Letters
5
Syllables
13
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit, especially as manifested by the conduct or manners; self-conceit.
Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Lord Marchmont was about thirty years of age, and what is generally called a fine-looking man. His figure was good, as far as his height and proportion went; but his movements wanted ease, and, consequently, grace; and there was something of self-importance in his air—the last thing in the world to prepossess a beholder in his favour."
- "Wikileaks has always had a healthy sense of self-importance—one that seems, at least in part, well-deserved. But there's something uniquely hubristic about accusing a major newspaper (and former collaborator) of "gross negligence or malice" over the release of 251,000 unredacted top-secret cables—when the fault lies with the website itself."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English importance English self-importance From self- + importance.