self-love

noun

: love of self: such as
a
: an appreciation of one's own worth or virtue
Self-love begins when we observe our actions and words with compassion as if we were our own best friend.Sara M Bosworth
Just as you'd think, it's love—particular, self-love—that makes the world go around.Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Often we are reluctant to promote self-love mostly because we confuse it with selfishness. Since we are humans, we ought to have a healthy love for ourselves; it is from this fount that love flows out to others.Mason Olds
b
: proper regard for and attention to one's own happiness or well-being
Nurturing your body seems simple, but for me it feels like an extreme act of self-love.Danielle d'Entremont
Lisa Concepcion, a certified professional love life coach and founder of LoveQuest Coaching, says that journaling is an excellent way to practice self-love.SheKnows
c
: inflated love of or pride in oneself : narcissism, conceit
… individuals ruled by self-love and selfishness …John Saillant
"Then from myself pray understand that I will say nothing to flatter your self-love."Anthony Trollope
… there was the self-love of those conceited blockheads who … were convinced that they themselves were superior to anything the age could produce.John Clive
self-loving adjective

Examples of self-love in a Sentence

nurtured a self-love that was far greater than any affection she ever felt for another person
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The JLo Beauty founder has created six festive sets for the gift-giving season and the offerings — which are rooted in prioritizing self-love, and scoring a major glow — are oh-so-JLo. Jackie Fields, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 On an album filled with messages of self-love and empowerment, the penultimate track found Gaga singing her first unconditional love song — a bluesy, country-rock tribute to her ex-boyfriend Lüc Carl. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024 Britney Spears is celebrating self-love in her latest social media post. Becca Longmire, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 That means providing equipment, offering low-cost programming, or adding journaling and self-love curriculum for the younger girls. Essence, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-love 

Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-love was in 1539

Dictionary Entries Near self-love

Cite this Entry

“Self-love.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-love. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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