self-absorbed
Lost in oneself
Self-absorbed describes someone excessively focused on their own feelings, interests, and affairs to the exclusion of others.
The self-absorbed person treats conversations as opportunities to talk about themselves: He was too self-absorbed to notice she was upset.
The word carries a negative judgment—unlike self-aware or introspective, self-absorbed suggests obliviousness to the world beyond oneself.
Excessively self-centered
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- conceitedExcessively proud of oneself
- egocentricExcessively focused on oneself
- preoccupiedMentally elsewhere, not present
grandiose · entitled · arrogant · haughty · smug · pompous · boastful · immodest
Lacking emotional understanding
- uncaringLacking emotional concern
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
oblivious · neglectful · inattentive · disregarding · heedless · unmindful · unaware · blind
Grooming with vanity
- primpingFussing over appearance
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- cosmeticSurface-level appearance enhancer
- superficialLacking depth or substance
Inclined to deep thought
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- inner-directedGuided by internal principles
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
philosophical · pensive · brooding · ruminating · inward-looking · navel-gazing
Separated from others
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- reservedRestrained in manner
solitary · antisocial · remote · unapproachable · disengaged · reclusive · secluded · standoffish
egotistical
Excessively self-centered
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- conceitedExcessively proud of oneself
- egocentricExcessively focused on oneself
preoccupied · grandiose · entitled · arrogant · haughty · smug · pompous · boastful · immodest · superiority
unempathetic
Lacking emotional understanding
- uncaringLacking emotional concern
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
dismissive · oblivious · neglectful · inattentive · disregarding · heedless · unmindful · unaware · blind · deaf
preening
Grooming with vanity
contemplative
Inclined to deep thought
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- inner-directedGuided by internal principles
thoughtful · philosophical · pensive · brooding · ruminating · inward-looking · navel-gazing
isolated
Separated from others
reserved · solitary · antisocial · remote · unapproachable · disengaged · reclusive · secluded · standoffish · uncommunicative
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- egotismarrogant, conceited, egocentric, egomaniac, egotist
- selfish traitsgreedy, egotistical, narcissistic, me-first, entitled
- showoffsshowoff, show-off, braggart, bragger, boaster
- ego termsbig ego, bruised ego, ego boost, ego trip, fragile ego
- indulgenceindulgence, indulge, indulgent, overindulgence, pamper
self-absorbedoutward-looking
Oriented toward others
observant · aware · empathetic · considerate · present
self-absorbedselfless
Concerned with others' welfare
altruistic · unselfish · self-sacrificing · generous · charitable
self-absorbedself-questioning
Probing one's own thoughts
self-effacing · diffident · humble · modest · unassuming
self, selfish, absorb, absorbed, selfie, unselfish, absorption, absorbent, selves