self-understanding
noun
self-un·der·stand·ing
ˌself-ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ
plural self-understandings
: understanding of oneself: such as
a
: knowledge or understanding of one's own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivations : self-knowledge
human self-understanding
gaining a greater sense of self-understanding
… while I can't choose what I feel, I do have sway over how I understand my feelings and that self-understanding can modify and sculpt those feelings …—Gordon Marino
b
: one's conception of oneself especially as part of a group
Central to our national self-understanding is the idea that hard work pays off.—Las Vegas Sun
… the attempt to put religion into a box fails to give adequate regard to the self-understanding of those religious groups …—Eduardo M. Penalver
… the studies … show that adoptive parents play an important role in supporting their children's ethnic and cultural self-understanding.—Anndee Hochman
… people should be free to reach their own self-understandings when it comes their status as victims (or non-victims).—Brian D. Earp
Cite this Entry
“Self-understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-understanding. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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