self-conscious
Uneasy about oneself
Self-conscious describes heightened awareness of oneself, especially how one appears to others.
Someone self-conscious feels watched or judged: She was self-conscious about her accent.
The word often implies discomfort or awkwardness in social situations.
In philosophy, self-conscious has a neutral sense—simply aware of one's own existence and mental states.
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- shyReserved and retiring
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- vulnerableOpen to attack
inhibited · self-doubt · inadequate · unconfident · uncertain · hesitant · apprehensive · doubtful
Lacking grace or ease
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
flustered · red-faced · ashamed · humiliated · abashed · chagrined · discomfited · cringing
Conscious of own existence
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
- self-scrutinyCritical examination of oneself
introspection · self-questioning · self-analysis · mindful · self-assessment · metacognitive · philosophical · deliberate
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
vulnerable · inhibited · self-doubt · inadequate · unconfident · uncertain · hesitant · apprehensive · doubtful · inferior
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
sheepish · flustered · red-faced · ashamed · humiliated · abashed · chagrined · discomfited · cringing · squirming
self-aware
Conscious of own existence
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
self-scrutiny · introspection · self-questioning · self-analysis · mindful · self-assessment · metacognitive · philosophical · deliberate · considered
- selfself-concept, self-esteem, self-knowledge, self-image, self-worth
- embarrassmentembarrassed, blush, humiliated, mortify, mortified
- humiliationashamed, abasement, embarrassed, chagrin, mortified
- hyphenated wordsup-to-date, pitch-black, jaw-dropping, round-the-clock, air-conditioned
- socially awkwardshy, nervous, tongue-tied, social anxiety, shyness
- body imagebody image, body positivity, body acceptance, body shaming, body shame
self-consciousconfident
Sure of oneself
self-assured · unselfconscious · assured · secure · self-confident
self-consciousnatural
Not artificially produced
unaffected · unselfconscious · spontaneous · artless · guileless
self-consciousunconscious
Not awake or aware
unaware · oblivious · unreflective · unthinking · instinctual
conscious, conscience, unconscious, subconscious, conscientious, consciousness, omniscient, prescient, self-consciousness