self-esteem
UK: ˌself ɪˈstiːm | US: ˌself əˈstiːm
n. confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect.
n. an inflated sense of pride in oneself (less common, sometimes pejorative).
self-esteem = self<oneself> + esteem<value>
- self: From Old English self, meaning "one's own person."
- esteem: From Latin aestimare (to value, appraise), via Old French estimer. In Middle English, it meant "to judge worth."
Etymology Origin:
The compound "self-esteem" emerged in the 17th century, combining "self" (reflexive identity) and "esteem" (valuation). It originally denoted a neutral self-assessment but later specialized to mean positive self-valuation. The word reflects Enlightenment-era focus on individual worth, contrasting medieval humility norms.
Healthy self-esteem is crucial for mental well-being.
Her self-esteem suffered after constant criticism.
The program aims to boost children's self-esteem.
Excessive self-esteem can lead to arrogance.
He struggled with low self-esteem throughout his teens.