self important

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "self important" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who has an inflated sense of their own significance or value. An example: "His self-important attitude made it difficult for others to work with him." Alternative expressions include "self-centered" and "egotistical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Any self important entity must be taken down by clowns from the peanut gallery, if I can be self-important for a minute".

The New Yorker

Work with yourself to be less self important.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or self-important?

The Economist

Self-important, gloomy".

The New Yorker

Audacious or self-important?

The Guardian - Books

It IS self-important.

The Guardian - Books

Kalaj is bombastic, reckless and self-important.

The New York Times - Books

And the more self-important.

The New Yorker

What a self-important title!

The Guardian - Books

"Salinger" is self-important, redundant, and interminable.

The New Yorker

Wordsworth was disciplined, self-important and steady.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase specifically to criticize an individual's attitude or behavior rather than their actual social standing

Common error

Do not use "self important" as a synonym for someone who is actually significant or influential. The term is inherently pejorative and implies that the person's sense of value is unearned or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "self important" functions as a compound adjective used to attribute the quality of an inflated ego to a subject. In Ludwig examples, it typically appears after a linking verb (e.g. "he is self important") or, more frequently in its hyphenated form, as an attributive adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI notes that the structure follows standard English word formation for self-reflexive adjectives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Arts & Entertainment

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "self important" is a robust descriptive phrase used to critique an exaggerated sense of self-worth. Ludwig data reveals that while it is sometimes written as two separate words, the hyphenated "<a href="/s/self-important" target="_blank" rel="alternative">self-important" is the dominant form in high-quality editorial content. Ludwig AI highlights its effectiveness in literary and journalistic contexts where precise characterization is required. Writers should be mindful of its negative connotation and use it when a critical or mocking tone is appropriate. For maximum clarity in formal writing, the hyphenated version remains the preferred choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-important

Standard hyphenated form commonly used in formal and editorial writing

egotistical

Focuses specifically on an obsession with one's own ego

narcissistic

Implies a deeper and more clinical level of self-absorption

pompous

Adds a layer of being affectedly grand or overly solemn

arrogant

Emphasizes an offensive display of superiority over others

conceited

Suggests excessive pride in one's own appearance or achievements

pretentious

Highlights the attempt to seem more important than one actually is

haughty

Focuses on the disdainful treatment of people deemed inferior

smug

Describes a self-satisfied pride in one's own virtues

full of oneself

A more informal and idiomatic way to express the same sentiment

FAQs

How to use "self important" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an individual's behavior, such as: "His "self important" attitude alienated his colleagues during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "self important"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/egotistical" target="_blank" rel="alternative">egotistical", "<a href="/s/pompous" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pompous", or "<a href="/s/arrogant" target="_blank" rel="alternative">arrogant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "self important" or "self-important"?

Both are used, but "<a href="/s/self-important" target="_blank" rel="alternative">self-important" is the most widely accepted form in formal English, especially when it precedes the noun it modifies.

What's the difference between "self important" and "narcissistic"?

While both describe self-focus, "<a href="/s/narcissistic" target="_blank" rel="alternative">narcissistic" often implies a psychological trait involving a need for admiration, whereas "self important" refers more generally to a person acting as if they are more significant than they really are.