Full of Oneself: Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：conceited (Full of oneself)

Full of oneself 🔊

/ˈfʊl əv wʌnˈsɛlf/

adj. phrase

Thinking that you are very important, clever, or attractive in a way that annoys other people.

Full of oneself: person admiring reflection in mirror while friends wait

conceited 🔊

➕

/kənˈsiːtɪd/

adj. phrase

Behaving as if one is exceptionally important, talented, or attractive, often in a way that bothers others.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Phrase: 'full' (filled) + 'of' + 'oneself' (reflexive pronoun); idiom meaning self-importance.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a balloon blown up with 'self' air—so puffed up it annoys everyone nearby.

📖 Example

Ever since he won the school competition, he has been full of himself and doesn't talk much to his teammates anymore. 🔊 Ever since he won the school competition, he has been acting conceited and does not talk much to his teammates anymore.

🔗 Collocations

get full of oneself – become conceited after success

too full of oneself – excessively self-important

a bit full of oneself – slightly arrogant

🔄 Synonyms

arrogant (adj.) – Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

self-important (adj.) – Having an excessively high regard for oneself.

conceited (adj.) – Excessively proud of oneself; vain.

🚫 Antonyms

humble (adj.) – Having a modest view of one's own importance.

modest (adj.) – Not arrogant; unassuming.

self-effacing (adj.) – Not claiming attention for oneself; retiring.

🌱 Derivatives

self-importance (n.) – An exaggerated sense of one's own value.

conceit (n.) – Excessive pride in oneself.

full-of-oneself (adj.) – Alternate hyphenated form.

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase 'full of oneself' dates back to the 16th century, originally meaning 'filled with one's own merits.' It evolved into a negative connotation in the 19th century, describing arrogance in everyday speech.