Insecurity
/ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊrɪti/
nounB2
Definition
Insecurity is the feeling of not being safe, confident, or certain about yourself or something around you. It can be about your abilities, your appearance, or your place in a situation. When you feel insecurity, you might worry a lot or feel afraid that others will judge you or that something will go wrong.
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See It in Action
Feeling unsure or not confident about oneself
- •She felt insecurity about her appearance before the interview.
- •Many teenagers experience insecurity as they grow up.
- •His insecurity made it hard for him to speak in public.
Feeling unsafe or uncertain about a situation or environment
- •The country's political insecurity caused fear among citizens.
- •Economic insecurity can make people worry about their future.
- •Insecurity in the workplace can lower employee motivation.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "insecurity" like "fear," but more about feeling unsure inside yourself or your situation—not just being scared of something outside
- ✓Picture a small boat on a rough sea, moving and shaking—this is like feeling unstable or insecure inside
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you doubt your own skills before an important test or when meeting new people
- ✓Sounds like "in-SURE-ity" → imagine the opposite: instead of being sure, you feel the "in" (not) and "secure" (safe) is missing, so you feel weak or shaky
- ✓Think of a story where a character feels unsure about their place in the world and worries about being accepted
- ✓NOT like "confidence" (being sure and strong inside)—insecurity is the opposite, feeling weak or doubtful
- ✓NOT like "danger" (an outside risk)—insecurity is mostly inside your mind about yourself or your situation
- ✓NOT like "anxiety" (strong worry about many things)—insecurity is more about feeling not good enough or unsafe inside yourself
Try Other Words
- •Uncertainty: feeling unsure about the future or a situation (Use when you talk about not knowing what will happen)
- •Self-doubt: not believing in your own abilities (Use when the insecurity is about yourself)
- •Fear: strong feeling of danger or worry (Use when insecurity causes strong worry or anxiety)
- •Anxiety: strong and often long-lasting worry (Use when insecurity turns into strong nervous feelings)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "in-" (not) + root "secure" (safe, confident) + suffix "-ity" (state or condition)
- •Etymology: From Latin "in-" meaning not, and "securus" meaning free from care or safe
- •Historical development: Originally meant lack of safety or freedom from danger, later extended to feeling unsure inside oneself or situations
- •Modern usage: Used for both personal feelings of low confidence and for unstable or unsafe conditions in places or situations
- •Key insight: Insecurity means the state of NOT feeling secure or safe, either inside your mind or in your environment
Reflect & Connect
•How can insecurity affect the way people behave in groups or new situations?
•Can insecurity sometimes help people improve themselves, or is it always harmful?
Fill in the blanks
1.She felt insecurity about her ___ before the big meeting, which made her nervous.
2.Economic insecurity often ___ people to save more money or avoid risks.
3.Unlike confidence, insecurity makes a person feel ___ about their abilities or decisions.
4.When someone shows insecurity, they might ___ their true feelings or avoid challenges.
5.The phrase "insecurity complex" means a strong feeling of ___ about oneself.
6.Political insecurity can cause ___ among citizens about safety and future.
7.Insecurity is different from anxiety because it focuses more on feeling ___ or not good enough.