Someone's ego is their sense of their own worth. For example, if someone has a large ego, they think they are very important and valuable.
He had a massive ego; never would he admit he was wrong.
Synonyms: self-esteem, self-confidence, self-respect, self-image More Synonyms of ego
2. See also alter ego, super-ego
ego in British English
(ˈiːɡəʊ, ˈɛɡəʊ)
nounWord forms: pluralegos
1.
the self of an individual person; the conscious subject
2. psychoanalysis
the conscious mind, based on perception of the environment from birth onwards: responsible for modifying the antisocial instincts of the id and itself modified by the conscience (superego)
3.
one's image of oneself; morale
to boost one's ego
4.
egotism; conceit
Word origin
C19: from Latin: I
ego in American English
(ˈigoʊ; ˈɛgoʊ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈegos
1.
the self; the individual as self-aware
2.
a.
egotism; conceit
b.
self-esteem; self-respect
3. Philosophy
the self, variously conceived as a spiritual substance on which experience is superimposed, the series of acts and mental states introspectively recognized, etc.
4. Psychoanalysis
that part of the psyche which experiences the external world, or reality, through the senses, organizes the thought processes rationally, and governs action: it mediates between the impulses of the id, the demands of the environment, and the standards of the superego
Word origin
L : see I2
COBUILD Collocations
ego
bruised ego
fragile ego
male ego
Examples of 'ego' in a sentence
ego
He really only wants to satisfy his massive ego.
The Sun (2016)
There needs to be no big egos.
The Sun (2016)
Your ego is larger than your intellect.
The Sun (2016)
You are having a bit of an ego trip.
The Sun (2015)
Who has the biggest ego out of the dancers?
The Sun (2012)
But new safety measures will ensure bruised egos are the worst injuries the stars will suffer!
The Sun (2007)
His business cards play on this alter ego.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Or does my ego need larger pastures in which to graze?
Christianity Today (2000)
We all know he has a massive ego.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Their sense of ego is now intertwined with the student.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You must put your ego to one side.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Voices is about people playing mind games and who go on ego trips.
The Sun (2008)
There were no big egos in our side.
The Sun (2010)
Large egos were encouraged by management under the premise that the best would rise to the top.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Six months is too long for two massive egos like these not to collide.
The Sun (2012)
This apparent lack of ego is one of his finer points.
The Sun (2013)
Perhaps flirting boosts your ego and allows you to feel in control of the game.
The Sun (2007)
This supposedly altruistic venture has taken the look of an ego trip.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The city was at the forefront of new movements and big egos.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
My ego is bruised right now!
The Sun (2008)
It is time to focus not on the vanity and egos of individuals but the good of the club as a whole.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is art history's id defeating its ego.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
As the ego and its sense of inadequacy retreats, we can find lasting happiness there.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Her critics say she is both ego and id, unrestrained.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You are nursing a bruised ego but it's a shame to throw away a good marriage.
The Sun (2011)
My alter ego was born.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Team sports tend to require, but in vastly differing degrees, some element of individual ego.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Quotations
The ego is not master in its own houseSigmund FreudA Difficulty in the Path of Psycho-Analysis
Word lists with
ego
Psychology terms
In other languages
ego
British English: ego NOUN
Someone's ego is their sense of their own worth.
He had a massive ego; never would he admit he was wrong.
American English: ego
Brazilian Portuguese: ego
Chinese: 自我价值感
European Spanish: ego
French: amour-propre
German: Ego
Italian: ego
Japanese: 自尊心
Korean: 자아
European Portuguese: ego
Latin American Spanish: ego
All related terms of 'ego'
alter ego
Your alter ego is the other side of your personality from the one which people normally see .
ego boost
something such as praise , success , etc, that makes one feel better about oneself or raises one's morale
ego ideal
an internal ideal of personal perfection that represents what one wants to be rather than what one ought to be and is derived from one's early relationship with one's parents
ego trip
If you say that someone is on an ego trip , you are criticizing them for doing something for their own satisfaction and enjoyment , often to show that they think they are more important than other people.
male ego
Someone's ego is their sense of their own worth. For example, if someone has a large ego , they think they are very important and valuable .
super-ego
Your super-ego is the part of your mind which makes you aware of what is right and wrong , and which causes you to feel guilty when you have done something wrong.
bruised ego
Someone's ego is their sense of their own worth . For example, if someone has a large ego , they think they are very important and valuable .
ego surfing
the act of searching for your own name on the internet
fragile ego
Someone's ego is their sense of their own worth . For example, if someone has a large ego , they think they are very important and valuable .
ego psychology
the study of the adaptive and mediating functions of the ego and their role in personality development and emotional disorder
massage someone's ego
to boost someone's sense of self-esteem by flattery
Chinese translation of 'ego'
ego
(ˈiːɡəu)
n(c)
(= self-esteem) 自尊 (zìzūn)
(noun)
Definition
a person's opinion of his or her own worth
He had a massive ego and would never admit he was wrong.
Synonyms
self-esteem
Poor self-esteem is at the centre of many difficulties.
self-confidence
Richard's self-confidence is growing steadily.
self-respect
Any man with self-respect would have resigned.
self-image
self-worth
self-assurance
They had confidence and self-assurance.
self-importance
Quotation
The ego is not master in its own house [Sigmund Freud – A Difficulty in the Path of Psycho-Analysis]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of self-assurance
Definition
confidence in oneself, one's abilities, or one's judgment
They had confidence and self-assurance.
Synonyms
confidence,
self-confidence,
poise,
nerve,
swag (slang),
assertiveness,
self-possession,
positiveness
in the sense of self-confidence
Definition
confidence in oneself, one's abilities, or one's judgment
Richard's self-confidence is growing steadily.
Synonyms
self-assurance,
confidence,
poise,
nerve,
swag (slang),
self-respect,
aplomb,
self-reliance,
high morale
in the sense of self-respect
Definition
a feeling of confidence and pride in one's own abilities and worth