Word
ego
US/ˈiɡoʊ/
UK/ˈiːɡəʊ/
Definitions
01self-importance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. your sense of your own value and importance, often used when someone thinks too highly of themselves.
n. an individual's sense of self-esteem or self-importance. Often used in a pejorative sense to describe arrogance or a fragile self-image.
日本語:エゴ※
“He has a massive ego and hates it when people disagree with him.”
“The manager's fragile ego made it difficult for him to accept constructive criticism from his subordinates without becoming defensive.”
Synonyms
02the conscious mind
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. the part of your mind that is aware of yourself and the world around you.
n. the part of the psychic apparatus that experiences and reacts to the outside world and mediates between primitive drives and social morals.
日本語:自我※
“In his theory, the ego tries to balance what we want with what is possible.”
“Freudian theory posits that the ego functions as a mediator between the impulsive desires of the id and the idealistic standards of the superego.”
Usage
Usually used with the definite article 'the'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03kinship reference point
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical · Academic
n. the person used as the starting point on a family tree or chart.
n. the individual from whose perspective a kinship chart is drawn or through whom relationships are traced.
“On this family tree, ego is the person in the center marked with a square.”
“In anthropological diagrams, kinship terms are defined relative to ego, regardless of the actual biological connections involved.”
Usage
Typically used without an article in academic diagrams.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ego” in context.
Verb
01. bruise his ego
“Failing to get the promotion really bruised his ego, as he was used to being the top performer.”
verb + possessive + noun
02. deflate his ego
“The harsh criticism from the director quickly deflated his ego after the opening night.”
verb + possessive + noun
03. keep his ego in check
“Despite his sudden fame, he worked hard to keep his ego in check and remain humble.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
04. stroke her ego
“The manager knew that a few words of praise would stroke her ego and keep her motivated.”
verb + possessive + noun
Adjective
05. fragile ego
“He has such a fragile ego that even the slightest suggestion for improvement upsets him.”
adj + noun
06. massive ego
“It is difficult to collaborate with someone who has such a massive ego and refuses to listen.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. blow to his ego
“Losing the debate was a significant blow to his ego, as he considered himself an expert.”
noun + prep + noun
08. boost to her ego
“Winning the award provided a much-needed boost to her ego after a difficult year.”
noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Artistically ambitious and with an ego the size of a small planet, Richard Strauss was rarely backwards in coming forwards.” “Almodóvar may see Raúl, his alter ego, as something of a villain, but he has also described himself as a “victim” of his own passion for cinema.” Etymology
From Latin ego (“I”). Chosen by Freud’s translator as a translation of his use of German Ich as a noun for this concept from the pronoun ich (“I”). Doublet of I and Ich.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ego
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0