self-importance

IPA/ˌself ɪmˈpɔːtns/
IPA/ˌself ɪmˈpɔːrtns/

self-importance — noun

1. a person's belief in their own superior value or importance over everyone else —

1.名詞B2
釋義

a person's belief in their own superior value or importance over everyone else — often revealed through a proud or dismissive manner toward others.

例句

Hoa's self-importance made it hard for her team to give her honest feedback.

possessive + self-importance as cause of social difficulty

Faisal spoke with such self-importance at the meeting that several colleagues exchanged annoyed glances.

spoke with + self-importance ('with' prepositional phrase)

同義詞
  • arrogance

    focuses more on the dismissive, overbearing behavior that may result from self-importance

  • conceit

    emphasizes a too-high opinion of one's own abilities or appearance

  • egotism

    suggests a selfish focus on one's own needs and interests over others'

  • pomposity

    describes a formal, self-important manner, often in speech or writing

反義詞
  • humility

    the quality of having a modest view of one's own importance

  • modesty

    the tendency not to boast or draw attention to one's own achievements

文法句型

self-importance + of [person]

be filled with self-importance

用法筆記

Almost always used critically or disapprovingly. The term describes a person's inner attitude rather than their outward behavior, though the behavior (arrogance, dismissiveness) is what reveals the attitude to others.

常見錯誤

❌His self-importance is that he speaks loudly.
✅His self-importance is shown by the way he speaks loudly to everyone.
💡Self-importance is an attitude, not a single action; pair it with 'shown by' or 'revealed through' rather than 'is that'.