Words / B2

EEG-oh/ˈiːɡəʊ/

Ego is a person's sense of their own worth or importance: a bruised ego; ego boost. Pride is related; vain (this batch) is the adjective for showing it off. Calling a leader's ego the cause is not analysis; quote the minute. Mix-up: ego vs eco; the Freudian ego in psychology — use that only if the source names Freud or the id; do not write ego for ordinary confidence with no self-importance in the extract.

Meaning

A person's sense of their own worth or importance.

Examples

• “Calling a leader's ego the cause is not analysis; quote the minute, not a gossip caption.”
• “A bruised ego featured in the interview, which is still a named slight — quote the line.”

Good to know

a bruised ego; ego boost / trip. Close: pride / self-importance. Adjective cousin: vain (this batch). Trap: eco / Freud unless named. PSHE, English, and citizenship. Sense of self-importance — quote the behaviour, not a vibe.

Near in meaning

pride, self-importance, self-esteem

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