Insecurity is the uncomfortable feeling of doubt about yourself or your situation. When you feel insecure, you worry that you're not good enough, that something bad might happen, or that others are judging you negatively.

A student might feel insecure about giving a presentation, wondering if classmates will think their ideas are silly. An athlete might feel insecure after missing several shots in a row, suddenly doubting abilities they normally trust. Someone new to a school might feel insecure about making friends, uncertain whether others will like them.

Insecurity often whispers untrue things: that everyone is watching your mistakes, that you're the only one struggling, or that one failure means you'll always fail. These feelings are normal, but they're usually exaggerated.

The word can also describe something physically unstable or unsafe. An insecure ladder wobbles dangerously. An insecure lock won't protect what's inside. A password is insecure when it's too easy to guess.