Self-deprecating means making jokes or comments that poke fun at yourself, pointing out your own flaws or mistakes in a humorous way. When someone is being self-deprecating, they might joke about how clumsy they are after tripping, or laugh about forgetting their lines in the school play.

Self-deprecating humor shows you don't take yourself too seriously. After striking out in a baseball game, a self-deprecating player might joke, “Well, at least I gave the catcher some easy practice!” A student who gives a wobbly presentation might say afterward, “That went about as smoothly as a square wheel.”

There's a balance to this kind of humor. A little self-deprecating humor can make you more likable and relatable, showing others you can laugh at yourself. But constantly putting yourself down isn't the same thing. True self-deprecating humor comes from confidence: you're secure enough to acknowledge your imperfections.

The opposite of self-deprecating would be boastful or self-aggrandizing, where someone constantly brags about how great they are.