self-consciousness meaning

UK US /ˌsɛlfˈkɑnʃəsnəs/ 4 syllables

self-consciousness (noun): embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you.

self-consciousness has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

self-consciousness as a noun

  1. embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you

    Synonyms: uneasiness, uncomfortableness

    Type of: embarrassment

    Related forms: self-conscious

  2. self-awareness plus the additional realization that others are similarly aware of you

    Opposite: unselfconsciousness

    Type of: self-awareness

    Related forms: self-conscious

How to pronounce self-consciousness

self-consciousness is pronounced /ˌsɛlfˈkɑnʃəsnəs/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

More about self-consciousness on Wikipedia.