ˌself-esˈteem BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
the feeling of being satisfied with your own abilities, and that you deserve to be liked or respected ⇨ self-respect
raise/build (up)/boost sb’s self-esteem
Playing a sport can boost a girl’s self-esteem.
students’ sense of self-esteem
low/poor self-esteem (=not much self-esteem)
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THESAURUS
▪ confidence the feeling that you have the ability to do things well, and to not make mistakes or be nervous in new situations:
You need patience and confidence to be a good teacher.
| have the confidence to do something :
‘We have the confidence to beat Brazil,’ said Sampson.
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After the accident it took a long time before she had the confidence to get back in a car again.
| full of confidence (=very confident) :
I went into the test full of confidence, but it was more difficult than I had imagined.
▪ self-confidence a strong belief that you can do things well and that other people will like you, which means you behave confidently in most situations:
He’s new in the job but he has plenty of self-confidence.
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Studies show that girls tend to lose some of their self-confidence in their teenage years.
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Students who get some kind of work experience develop greater self-confidence and better communication skills.
▪ morale the level of confidence, satisfaction, and hope that people feel, especially a group of people who work together: low/high morale :
Morale among the soldiers has been low.
| keep up morale (=keep it at a high level) :
They sang songs to keep up their morale until the rescuers arrived.
▪ assurance/self-assurance a feeling of calm confidence in your own abilities, especially because you have a lot of experience:
She envied the older woman’s assurance.
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Danby spoke to the committee with the self-assurance of an expert.
▪ self-esteem the feeling that you are someone who deserves to be liked and respected:
Getting a job did a lot for her self-esteem.
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Sports should build a child’s self-esteem, not damage it.