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I want to describe a character who thinks that the world revolves around him, thus he believes he is the center of the universe.

Is there a single word having the meaning of center of (one's) universe?

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marked as duplicate by medica, tchrist, Mari-Lou A, Josh61, FumbleFingers Aug 6 '14 at 12:55


Sounds like he might be self-centered or egocentric. –  Matt Gutting Aug 5 '14 at 19:12
Why do you want a single word? The expression that someone thinks he's the center of the universe is exactly for your purpose. –  George Pompidou Aug 5 '14 at 19:14
@GeorgePompidou I'm seeking a better phrase/term, any suggestions? –  Wilbur Aug 5 '14 at 19:22
Are you looking for a word for what this guy is? Or a term for the center of the universe as part of your question says? Please clarify. –  George Pompidou Aug 5 '14 at 19:27
One who thinks the world revolves around him is geophysically ignorant (unless actually at the center of a world, in which case well-informed is appropriate). –  jwpat7 Aug 5 '14 at 20:10

2 Answers 2

up vote 5 down vote accepted

The word egoist is slightly different from egotist; its senses include “An egocentric or self-centered person”. Narcissist, with sense “One who shows extreme love and admiration for himself or herself”, and solipsist, “One who adheres to self-absorption and an ignorance of the views or needs of others”, may be relevant too.

Edit: As mentioned in comments and as used in the definition of egoist above, egocentric has senses like “selfish, self-centered” and “egotistical”. It also has a less-obvious sense:

Relating to spatial representations: linked to a reference frame based on one’s own location within the environment (as when giving the direction as “right” rather than “north”); opposed to allocentric.

[Link sources: wiktionary and ELU 1,2,3,4].

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Hmm. Scope for a few duplicate questions here, I think, then. –  Andrew Leach Aug 5 '14 at 20:53
Any particular reason you didn't include egocentric, which literally means "self-in-the-center", aka "self-centered?" –  Dan Bron Aug 5 '14 at 22:25
@DanBron, it was mentioned in Matt Gutting's comment so I didn't remention it; but now have added a note about it. Thanks! –  jwpat7 Aug 5 '14 at 23:02
+1, for though it's not a single word for "the absolute center of the universe", it does answer the question "what do you call someone who believes himself to be the absolute center of the universe?" –  Dan Bron Aug 5 '14 at 23:06
The funny thing is that he’s probably right. See these related questions: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. –  tchrist Aug 6 '14 at 18:37

I think egomaniacal conveys the idea of being the centre of the universe :

  • (Psychology) obsessive love for oneself and regard for one's own needs
  • (Psychology) any action dictated by this point of view


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