self
self
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "self" is /sɛlf/.
Here's the breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
sɛl:
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral liquid
f:
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
Word Form Variations
Plural: selves
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
(Noun)
Definitions:
One's own person or identity.
Synonyms: oneself, ego, personality
Antonyms: other, stranger
The inner, conscious part of a person.
Synonyms: soul, mind, spirit
Antonyms: body, exterior
The independent part of a thing or system.
Synonyms: entity, being, individual
Antonyms: part, component
Self (Verb)
Definitions:
To act or behave in a way that is selfish or self-centered.
Synonyms: indulge, pamper, prioritize
Antonyms: sacrifice, give, share
To be conscious of oneself or one's surroundings.
Synonyms: realize, perceive, acknowledge
Antonyms: forget, ignore, neglect
Self (Adjective)
Definitions:
Done, made, or experienced by oneself.
Synonyms: personal, individual, private
Antonyms: shared, collective, communal
Directed or controlled by oneself.
Synonyms: autonomous, independent, free
Antonyms: dependent, reliant, controlled
Self (Adverb)
Definitions:
On one's own; alone.
Synonyms: independently, by oneself, solo
Antonyms: together, jointly, collectively
In a selfish or self-centered way.
Synonyms: egotistically, narcissistically, arrogantly
Antonyms: unselfishly, altruistically, generously
Examples of Use
Books
Self-help: "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey (1989) is a classic self-help book that focuses on personal development and self-improvement.
Philosophy: "The Self" by David Hume (1748) is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of the self.
Newspapers
Headline: "Self-Driving Cars: The Future of Transportation" (The New York Times)
Article: "The Importance of Self-Care for Mental Health" (The Guardian)
Online Publications
Blog Post: "How to Build a Strong Sense of Self-Confidence" (Psychology Today)
Website: "Self-Love: A Guide to Accepting Yourself" (Healthline)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movie: "The Matrix" explores the concept of the self and its relationship to reality.
Song: "Self-Esteem" by Mariah Carey is a popular song about self-love and confidence.
Video Game: "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" allows players to create and customize their own characters, exploring the concept of self-identity.
General Public Discourse
Conversation: "I need some time for myself to relax."
Quote: "Know thyself." (Socrates)
Social Media: "Self-care Sunday: Taking time for me."
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Self
"Know thyself." (Socrates)
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"Self-love is the beginning of a lifelong romance." (Oscar Wilde)
"The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself." (Michel de Montaigne)
"Love yourself enough to set boundaries." (Unknown)
"The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I'm not going to let myself pull me down anymore." (Unknown)
"Self-care is not selfish. You can't pour from an empty cup." (Unknown)
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." (William James)
"Self-doubt is the enemy of progress." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "self" is an Old English word that comes from the Proto-Indo-European root selb-, meaning "same." This root is related to other words like "same," "sole," and "solitary."
The first known use of "self" in English was around the 9th century. It originally meant "one's own person or identity." Over time, the meaning has expanded to include concepts like the inner self, the independent part of a thing, and the act of being selfish.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Self
Common Phrases:
Self-esteem: A person's overall sense of self-worth or self-respect.
Self-control: The ability to control one's impulses, emotions, or behavior.
Self-discipline: The ability to make oneself do something difficult or unpleasant.
Self-awareness: The ability to understand oneself and one's own thoughts and feelings.
Self-centered: Focused on one's own needs and interests to the exclusion of others.
Less Common Phrases:
Self-evident: Obvious or clear without needing to be explained.
Self-explanatory: Easy to understand without needing explanation.
Self-made: Having achieved success through one's own efforts without help from others.
Self-righteous: Having a strong belief in one's own righteousness, often to the point of being arrogant.
Idioms with Synonyms:
To be all about oneself: To be self-centered or egotistical (similar to "to be full of oneself")
To know one's own mind: To be sure of oneself and one's opinions (similar to "to be self-assured")
To lose oneself in something: To become completely absorbed or engrossed in something (similar to "to be lost in thought")
To pull oneself together: To regain control of one's emotions or behavior (similar to "to compose oneself")
To take a deep breath and collect oneself: To calm down and regain one's composure (similar to "to steady one's nerves")
Posts Related to Self
Source Information
Definition of self from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
