2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] When someone is selective , they choose things carefully, for example the things that they buy or do. □ Sales still happen, but buyers are more selective. ● se|lec|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …people on small incomes who wanted to shop selectively.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has a selective memory, you disapprove of the fact that they remember certain facts about something and deliberately forget others, often because it is convenient for them to do so. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ We seem to have a selective memory for the best bits of the past. ● se|lec|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ There was something dubious about selectively forgetting a bad performance.
se|le c|tive se r|vice N‑UNCOUNT In the United States, selective service is a system of selecting and ordering young men to serve in the armed forces for a limited period of time.
se|lec|tor /s I le ktə/ (selectors ) N‑COUNT A selector is someone whose job is to choose which people will be in a particular sports team or will take part in a particular sports contest. □ …the England cricket selectors.
self ◆◇◇ /se lf/ (selves )
1 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] Your self is your basic personality or nature, especially considered in terms of what you are really like as a person. □ You're looking more like your usual self. □ She was back to her old self again.
2 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A person's self is the essential part of their nature which makes them different from everyone and everything else. □ I want to explore and get in touch with my inner self.
self- /se lf-/
1 COMB Self- is used to form words which indicate that you do something to yourself or by yourself. □ He is a self-proclaimed racist. □ …self-destructive behaviour.
2 COMB Self- is used to form words which describe something such as a device that does something automatically by itself. □ …a self-loading pistol.
se lf-abso rbed ADJ Someone who is self-absorbed thinks so much about things concerning themselves that they do not notice other people or the things around them.
se lf-a ccess ADJ In a school or college, a self-access centre is a place where students can choose and use books, tapes, or other materials. [BRIT ] □ …a self-access study centre.
se lf-addre ssed ADJ [usu ADJ n] A self-addressed envelope is an envelope which you have written your address on and which you send to someone in another envelope so that they can send something back to you. □ Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope.
se lf-adhe sive ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is self-adhesive is covered on one side with a sticky substance like glue, so that it will stick to surfaces. □ …self-adhesive labels.
self-aggrandizement /se lf əgræ nd I zmənt/ in BRIT, also use self-aggrandisement N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone is guilty of self-aggrandizement , you mean that they do certain things in order to make themselves more powerful, wealthy, or important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was interested in service, not self-aggrandisement.
se lf-appoi nted ADJ [usu ADJ n] A self-appointed leader or ruler has taken the position of leader or ruler without anyone else asking them or choosing them to have it. □ …the new self-appointed leaders of the movement.
se lf-asse mbly ADJ [usu ADJ n] Self-assembly is used to refer to furniture and other goods that you buy in parts and that you have to put together yourself. □ …a range of self-assembly bedroom furniture.
se lf-asse rtion N‑UNCOUNT Self-assertion is confidence that you have in speaking firmly about your opinions and demanding the rights that you believe you should have. □ …her silence and lack of self-assertion.
se lf-asse rtive ADJ Someone who is self-assertive acts in a confident way, speaking firmly about their opinions and demanding the rights that they believe they should have. □ If you want good relationships, you must have the confidence to be self-assertive when required.
se lf-asse ssment N‑SING In Britain, self-assessment refers to a system for paying tax in which people have to fill in an official form giving details of how much money they have earned in the previous year.
se lf-assu rance N‑UNCOUNT Someone who has self-assurance shows confidence in the things that they say and do because they are sure of their abilities.
se lf-assu red ADJ Someone who is self-assured shows confidence in what they say and do because they are sure of their own abilities. □ He's a self-assured, confident negotiator.
se lf-awa re ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is self-aware knows and judges their own character well. □ Doing a degree has increased my confidence and I feel much more self-aware. ● self-awareness N‑UNCOUNT □ It is assumed that you are interested in achieving greater self-awareness.
se lf-belie f N‑UNCOUNT Self-belief is confidence in your own abilities or judgment.
se lf-ca tering N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] If you go on a self-catering holiday or you stay in self-catering accommodation, you stay in a place where you have to make your own meals. [BRIT ] □ The self-catering flats are usually reserved for postgraduate students.
se lf-ce ntred in AM, use self-centered ADJ Someone who is self-centred is only concerned with their own wants and needs and never thinks about other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was self-centred, but he wasn't cruel.
se lf-confe ssed ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as a self-confessed murderer or a self-confessed romantic, for example, you mean that they admit openly that they are a murderer or a romantic. □ Lewis has made millions out of a being a self-confessed financial geek.
se lf-co nfidence N‑UNCOUNT If you have self-confidence , you behave confidently because you feel sure of your abilities or value. □ With the end of my love affair, I lost all the self-confidence I once had.