so-lip-SIS-tik
Definition
(adjective) Relating to the philosophical idea that only one’s own mind is sure to exist; extremely self-focused or unaware of others.
Example
His solipsistic worldview made genuine connection difficult—everything seemed to revolve around his own thoughts and perceptions.
Word Origin
From Latin solus (“alone”) + ipse (“self”), literally meaning “the self alone.”
Fun Fact
Solipsism is one of philosophy’s most unsettling concepts: the idea that the external world might be an illusion created by your own mind. While few people truly believe this, the adjective solipsistic is used far more broadly—often to describe someone who is overly self-centered or oblivious to perspectives outside their own. It’s the mindset where the world quietly shrinks to a single point of view.