Narcissistic
/ˌnɑːrsɪˈsɪstɪk/
Definitions
Having or showing an excessive interest in oneself and one's physical appearance.
/ˌnɑːrsɪˈsɪstɪk/
Excessively admiring oneself; self-centered.
The celebrity's narcissistic behavior was often highlighted in the tabloids.
💡 Simply: Think of someone who's *obsessed* with themselves, always talking about how great they are, and needing everyone else to think so too. They're narcissistic!
👶 For kids: When someone thinks they are the best and cares too much about how they look and how people think of them.
More Examples
His narcissistic tendencies made it difficult for him to maintain healthy relationships.
She worried that her son was developing narcissistic traits.
How It's Used
"A narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance."
"His narcissistic tendencies were evident in his constant need for praise."
Idioms & expressions
narcissistic supply
The attention, admiration, or validation that a narcissist seeks from others.
"The narcissist thrived on the praise, treating it as narcissistic supply."
narcissistic injury
A perceived threat to a narcissist's inflated self-image, often leading to rage or withdrawal.
"Any criticism resulted in a narcissistic injury."
From the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. The term gained psychological meaning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The term gained popularity in psychology during the early 20th century and became increasingly common in the 1970s and 1980s.
Memory tip
Imagine a mirror constantly reflecting the self – Narcissus.