To be self-conscious means to feel awkward or uncomfortable because you're worried about what other people think of you. When you're self-conscious, you become intensely aware of yourself: how you look, how you sound, whether you're doing something right or wrong. It's like having a spotlight on you that makes every little thing feel magnified.

A student might feel self-conscious giving a presentation in front of the class, worried that their voice sounds strange or that everyone is judging them. Someone might feel self-conscious about a new haircut, constantly wondering if others like it. You might feel self-conscious wearing your first pair of glasses to school, even though nobody else thinks twice about them.

The feeling often comes from imagining that people are paying much more attention to you than they actually are. In reality, most people are too busy thinking about themselves to notice the small things you're worried about. That nervous energy you feel when you're self-conscious can make natural things like laughing, walking, or even just standing still feel awkward or forced.

Being self-conscious is normal, especially during new experiences or situations where you want to make a good impression. But when it happens too much, it can hold you back from trying new things or being yourself. The word can also mean “aware of yourself” in a more neutral way, but it usually carries this uncomfortable, worried feeling.