Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The instinct or desire to promote one's own well-being; regard for or love of one's self.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun That instinct by virtue of which man's actions are directed to the promotion of his own welfare.
  • noun Synonyms Selfishness, Self-love. See selfishness.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The love of one's self; desire for personal happiness; tendency to seek one's own benefit or advantage.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Regard for oneself, love of oneself.
  • noun Excessive pride or vanity, over valuing the self.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an exceptional interest in and admiration for yourself
  • noun feelings of excessive pride

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

self- +‎ love

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Examples

  • And since, further, there is generally thought to be some peculiar kind of contrariety between self-love and the love of our neighbour, between the pursuit of public and of private good; insomuch that when you are recommending one of these, you are supposed to be speaking against the other; and from hence arises a secret prejudice against, and frequently open scorn of, all talk of public spirit and real good-will to our fellow - creatures; it will be necessary to _inquire what respect benevolence hath to self-love_, _and the pursuit of private interest to the pursuit of public_: or whether there be anything of that peculiar inconsistence and contrariety between them over and above what there is between self-love and other passions and particular affections, and their respective pursuits.

    Human Nature and Other Sermons Joseph Butler 1722

  • Love Luminary Hale Dwoskin, the best selling author of The Sedona Method, told me, What most people call self-love—positive affirmations and putting smiley-face Post-its on the mirror—is just a manipulation.

    Love For No Reason Marci Shimoff 2010

  • Love Luminary Hale Dwoskin, the best selling author of The Sedona Method, told me, What most people call self-love—positive affirmations and putting smiley-face Post-its on the mirror—is just a manipulation.

    Love For No Reason Marci Shimoff 2010

  • They are signs that we are challenged in the area of unconditional self-love, which is the only padding that can replace the padding your vice gives you from your vulnerability and pain.

    The Truth About Beauty Kat James 2007

  • They are signs that we are challenged in the area of unconditional self-love, which is the only padding that can replace the padding your vice gives you from your vulnerability and pain.

    The Truth About Beauty Kat James 2007

  • Like Prophet Jones, Sweet Daddy Grace was a fount of self-love and an idol of the black working class.

    A Renegade History of the United States Thaddeus Russell 2010

  • Isha Judd is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and author; her latest book and movie, "Why Walk When You Can Fly" explain her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness.

    Isha Judd: Overcoming Shyness Isha Judd 2011

  • Young people today don't vlog out of self-love, but in pursuit of affirmation.

    Claire Gordon: The Narcissism Myth Claire Gordon 2011

  • Young people today don't vlog out of self-love, but in pursuit of affirmation.

    Claire Gordon: The Narcissism Myth Claire Gordon 2011

  • Isha Judd is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and author; her latest book and movie, "Why Walk When You Can Fly" explain her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness.

    Isha Judd: Overcoming Shyness Isha Judd 2011

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