english word · 2026-08-20

solipsism

noun

Meaning

The philosophical theory that the self is all that can be known to exist, or an extreme preoccupation with one's own internal feelings and thoughts. It describes a state of profound mental isolation where the external world seems like a mere projection of the mind.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin words 'solus' (alone) and 'ipse' (self).

Examples

"In the depths of his grief, he fell into a kind of emotional solipsism, unable to believe that the world outside his window was still moving."

"The protagonist's journey is a struggle to break free from his intellectual solipsism and truly connect with the people around him."

A new word every day

Get a beautiful english word in your inbox every morning. Free.

Subscribe →