full of themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"full of themselves" is a correct and common phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is overly confident or self-absorbed. Example: "The new CEO gave a speech that was full of themselves, constantly bragging about their accomplishments and dismissing others' ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The eggplants, full of themselves.

The New York Times - Books

Chris Humphris "Too many overacting divas full of themselves.

Independent

Maybe women are not sufficiently full of themselves.

The Washington Post

"They were really full of themselves," Ravenhill sighs.

The Guardian

Designers are such swells -- funny, impulsive, so full of themselves.

The New York Times

Really they are saying that they are full of themselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The lecturers were full of themselves and vain.

The New Yorker

The cat's owners became a bit full of themselves.

The New Yorker

"The rabbis were full of themselves and always telling people what to do".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Jets won at New England, Buffalo and Carolina before barreling into New Orleans last Sunday and defeating the too-full-of-themselves Saints.

The New York Times - Sports

So you've got a very unpleasant, full-of-themselves type whose fathers have sold their land and they've got a Mercedes and they think they're everything.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of themselves" to critique behavior or attitudes that are perceived as excessively self-centered or arrogant. This phrase is most effective when illustrating a contrast between someone's perceived importance and their actual merit or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "full of themselves" to describe someone who is simply confident or assertive. The phrase implies an arrogance or inflated ego that goes beyond healthy self-assurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of themselves" functions as a subjective descriptor, typically used adjectivally to modify nouns (people, groups, characters, etc.). It indicates a negative judgment about someone's character, specifically their perceived arrogance or inflated ego. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full of themselves" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe individuals who exhibit excessive pride, arrogance, or self-absorption. Ludwig AI affirms the correctness and widespread usage of the phrase. Analysis of various sources reveals that this expression is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and in Formal & Business contexts. While its function is primarily to express disapproval, it is important to avoid using this term for those who are simply confident but not necessarily arrogant. Alternatives like "self-assured" or "confident" may be more suitable in those situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-important

Directly points to an inflated sense of one's own significance.

conceited

Implies an excessive pride in oneself and one's achievements.

arrogant

A straightforward adjective indicating an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

stuck-up

An informal term for someone who believes they are superior to others.

egotistical

Highlights the focus on one's own ego and self-centeredness.

big-headed

Another informal term indicating arrogance and an inflated ego.

vain

Emphasizes an excessive admiration for one's own appearance or accomplishments.

smug

Suggests an excessive sense of satisfaction with oneself, often to the point of being irritating to others.

pompous

Suggests a display of self-importance, often through speech or behavior.

presumptuous

Implies taking liberties or acting with undue confidence or arrogance.

FAQs

How can I use "full of themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "full of themselves" to describe people who behave as if they are more important or capable than they actually are. For example: "The lecturers were "full of themselves" and vain."

What's a less judgmental way to describe someone who seems "full of themselves"?

Consider using phrases like "self-assured", "confident", or "self-possessed" to describe someone who has a strong belief in their abilities without necessarily being arrogant.

Is it ever appropriate to describe yourself as "full of themselves"?

Generally, no. Describing yourself as "full of themselves" is usually seen as boastful or self-deprecating humor. It's generally better to avoid this phrase when talking about yourself.

What are some signs that someone might be "full of themselves"?

Signs might include constantly talking about their accomplishments, dismissing others' ideas, exaggerating their importance, or acting entitled. However, be mindful that confidence and healthy self-esteem can sometimes be misinterpreted as being ""full of themselves"".