Egotistical

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌi.ɡoʊˈtɪs.tɪk.(ə)l/

Definitions

1. Exhibiting an inflated view of one’s own worth, a focus on personal interests that overshadows those of others, and a tendency to seek validation through self-promotion
2. Marked by an exaggerated self-regard, a self-centered attitude that dismisses external perspectives, and an inclination to highlight one’s own success over collective achievements
3. Showing an overblown opinion of oneself, prioritizing personal advantage above others, and often craving recognition through boastful behavior

Etymology: "Egotistical" is "egotistic" with the adjectival suffix "-al" added. The suffix comes through Old French from Latin "-alis," which meant "of, relating to," so the word simply means "of or relating to an egotist." The root, "egotist," is the older and more striking piece: it is built from the Latin "ego," meaning "I," and the suffix "-ist," which marks a person who practises or is devoted to something. An egotist is therefore, almost literally, someone who is devoted to "I." The "-ic" in "egotistic" comes from Latin "-icus," passing through Old French and Middle English before reaching modern English. Each stage added a little more of the adjectival ending, so the final form stacks two suffixes onto the original Latin stem. Readers who meet a word ending in "-istical" can usually trace it the same way: a person-noun in "-ist" gets an adjective built on top of it.

Synonyms: self-centered, selfish, narcissistic, conceited, vain

Antonyms: humble, modest, selfless, altruistic, generous