# narcissistic

/ˌnɑɹsɪˈsɪstɪk/ (US) · /nˌɑːsɪsˈɪstɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/narcissistic
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

having too much interest in or admiration for yourself. It describes someone who thinks they are much more important or attractive than others.

For teachers: characterised by excessive self-admiration and a lack of empathy for others. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'become'.

## Examples

- He is so narcissistic that he only talks about himself.
- The manager's narcissistic behavior made it difficult for the team to share their own ideas or receive credit for their work.
- While some degree of self-confidence is healthy, a truly narcissistic personality can be destructive to interpersonal relationships due to a constant need for external validation and a sense of entitlement.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He has a narcissistic" but "He is narcissistic" — Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'narcissistic' with the noun 'narcissist'.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows a linking verb or precedes the noun it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.