Standard Lemma guide

self-satisfied

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Satisfied with oneself, especially over-satisfied; smug; slightly arrogant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He stood back and looked at his project with a self-satisfied expression.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: smug, complacent

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he had become complacent after years of success
  • his self-satisfied dignity

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: complacent, self-complacent

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a smug glow of self-congratulation

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: smug

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbh-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English satisfied English self-satisfied From self- + satisfied.

Across languages

Translations

19 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: самодоволен (samodovolen) — satisfied with oneself
  • Chinese Mandarin: 自滿 /自满 (zìmǎn) — satisfied with oneself
  • Chinese Mandarin: 得意 (déyì) — satisfied with oneself
  • Danish: selvtilfreds — satisfied with oneself
  • Dutch: zelfingenomen — satisfied with oneself
  • Finnish: itsetyytyväinen — satisfied with oneself
  • Finnish: omahyväinen — satisfied with oneself
  • French: suffisant — satisfied with oneself
  • Georgian: თვითკმაყოფილი (tvitḳmaq̇opili) — satisfied with oneself
  • German: selbstzufrieden — satisfied with oneself
  • Greek: εφησυχασμένος (efisychasménos) — satisfied with oneself
  • Hungarian: önelégült — satisfied with oneself
  • Japanese: 独り善がり (hitoriyogari) — satisfied with oneself
  • Japanese: 自己満足する (jikomanzoku suru) — satisfied with oneself
  • Polish: zadowolony z siebie — satisfied with oneself
  • Russian: самодово́льный (samodovólʹnyj) — satisfied with oneself
  • Spanish: autosatisfecho — satisfied with oneself
  • Spanish: satisfecho de sí mismo — satisfied with oneself
  • Swedish: självbelåten — satisfied with oneself