To be self-centered means to think mostly about yourself and your own needs, wants, and feelings, while paying little attention to what others need or feel. A self-centered person acts as if they're the most important person in every situation.

Picture a classmate who always steers the conversation to talk about themselves, never asks how your day went, and only wants to play the games they like. Or imagine someone who complains loudly about getting a B+ while sitting next to a friend who just failed a test and needs support. Self-centered people struggle to step outside their own perspective and consider how their actions affect others.

Everyone acts self-centered sometimes, especially when stressed or excited about something personal. But it becomes a problem when it's a pattern. A self-centered team member might take credit for group work without acknowledging others' contributions. A self-centered friend might expect you to drop everything to help them but never be available when you need support.

The opposite of self-centered is considerate or thoughtful. While self-centered people see themselves as the main character in every story, considerate people recognize that everyone has their own challenges, feelings, and importance.