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Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ahmed in Egypt about the usage of the words "arrogance¹" and "ego²."

Question

Dear Teacher,

I'm just asking about the difference between arrogance and ego because I hear actors use them interchangeably in movies.

Answer

Thank you for writing to us, Ahmed. I'm happy to answer this question.

First, let's explain the word "interchangeably." It describes using two things for the same purpose. For example, when we talk about the weather, the words "cloudy" and "overcast³" mean the same thing.

"Ego" and "arrogance" are both nouns and are often interchangeable. The American dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster defines "ego" as having a sense of self-worth and "arrogance" as having a much greater sense of self-worth over others.

"Arrogant⁴" and "egotistical" are the adjective forms of these words. An arrogant or egotistical person thinks he or she is better than other people.

You have heard actors using both terms because they usually mean the same thing. But we have particular ways of using each of these words. Here are some examples of how to use the two words:

That actor has such a big ego. He agrees to be in movies only if he gets to play the leading role.

You can feel her arrogance when she makes all those negative comments about other artists.

We sometimes say that a person "has a big ego." But we do not say that a person "has a big arrogance." That is because "arrogance" is a non-count noun.

To have "an inflated⁵ ego" is another common way of saying that a person is egotistical.

"Arrogance" is often used with a negative meaning. But "ego," defined as a sense of self-worth, is neither positive nor negative. For example:

The teenage years are important for the development of a healthy ego.

When a person feels their ego has been affected⁶ negatively, we say that person has "a wounded ego."

And while we can use the expression "a big ego," we rarely say "a small ego." Instead, we say a person "is not egotistical." Or, we simply say a person is humble⁷.

Words in This Story

humble -adj. not too proud, not believing one is better than other people.