ego

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ego" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance. For example, "John's huge ego was obvious the moment he entered the room".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

When Faint talks to me about his clowning, he occasionally adopts the pantomime squeak of his painted alter ego.

The Guardian

"I do have an ego, to do with the success of the films or theatre, like anybody, but this one wasn't like that," he says.

The Guardian - Film

As a young actor, I'd please like to know if you find that 'surrendering' your ego helps or takes away from your acting?

The Guardian

The deputy prime minister said he believed Shapps's denials but then suggested the contested account going by the name of "Contribsx" could have been run by Michael Green – the alter ego used by Shapps to write a series of get-rich-quick guides.

The Guardian

I'm sure there are great founders out there, keeping their ego on a short lease and using their vision, social capital, deep expertise and institutional memory to take things forward, rather than hold them back.

The Guardian

It also recalls Chic's lack of ego.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker frequently wore his dresses on the red carpet, while her fictional alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw spoke the designer's name in hushed tones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chris Evans earned a crust as his driver, while Caroline Aherne road-tested her Mrs Merton alter-ego on the entertainer's Radio Timperley show.

The Guardian - Film

The current iteration of the character has the alter-ego Carol Danvers, a sometime US Air Force pilot who develops cosmic superpowers including flight, super-strength and "energy projection" after gaining extraterrestrial DNA during an accident on a restricted military base.

The Guardian - Film

Not the ego-driven visionaries, necessarily, who are willing to take millions in losses – but a generation of (hopefully capable) managers whose job will be to read the room.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indie aficionados of a certain vintage will recognise the head as a homage to Frank Sidebottom, alter-ego of Mancunian musician Chris Sievey, who died in 2010.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ego" to specifically denote a person's sense of self-importance or the psychological concept related to self-identity. Avoid using it interchangeably with general self-esteem.

Common error

Be cautious not to attribute every action to someone's "ego". Ensure the context genuinely reflects self-importance or a psychological imbalance, rather than simply differing opinions or assertive behavior.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ego" is as a noun. It commonly functions as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting either the psychological concept or a person's sense of self-importance. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ego" is a commonly used noun that refers to a person's sense of self-importance or, in psychology, the part of the mind that mediates with reality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and applicable across varied contexts, from formal discussions of psychological concepts to casual descriptions of someone's behavior. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science sources. When using "ego", it's important to ensure the context genuinely reflects self-importance or a psychological concept, rather than simply differing opinions. Related terms include "self-importance" and "egotism", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

egotism

Implies excessive talkativeness about oneself.

sense of self-importance

Highlights the aspect of inflated self-perception.

self-esteem

Refers to a general feeling of self-worth.

self-regard

Emphasizes consideration and respect for oneself.

self-assurance

Emphasizes confidence in one's own abilities.

personal identity

Focuses on the unique characteristics that define an individual.

self-image

Refers to the mental picture one has of oneself.

confidence

A general term for belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities.

self-centeredness

Highlights the characteristic of focusing primarily on oneself.

narcissism

Suggests a pathological level of self-admiration.

FAQs

How can I use the word "ego" in a sentence?

You can use "ego" to describe someone's sense of self-importance, as in "His huge "ego" was obvious to everyone". It's also used in psychology to refer to the part of the mind that mediates with the outside world.

What are some synonyms for "ego" that I can use instead?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "self-importance", "self-esteem", or "egotism". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone has a "big ego"?

Yes, saying someone has a "big ego" is a common way to describe someone with an inflated sense of self-importance. It implies they may be arrogant or overly concerned with themselves.

What's the difference between "ego" and "self-esteem"?

"Ego" often refers to an inflated sense of self-importance or pride, while "self-esteem" generally refers to a healthy sense of self-worth and confidence.