self-doubt
UK[ˌself ˈdaʊt]US[ˌself ˈdaʊt]
n
A lack of confidence in oneself and one's abilities.
Morpheme Breakdown
self
doubt
self
own
doubt
uncertainty
Etymology
The compound "self-doubt" is a relatively modern English formation, emerging in the 19th century to articulate an internal psychological state. Its first element, "self," is an ancient Germanic word, traceable to Proto-Germanic selbaz, maintaining a stable core meaning of one's own identity. The second element, "doubt," entered English from Old French 'douter,' which itself evolved from Latin 'dubitare' (to waver, hesitate), a verb linked to the concept of two possibilities (from PIE dwo- "two"). The logical construction of the word is transparent: it literally means "doubt about oneself," where the ancient sense of wavering between options is directed inward, creating the modern abstract meaning of personal insecurity.
Analysis
Structure: self (own) + doubt (uncertainty)
self: Old English, meaning "one's own person." It functions as a prefix denoting reflexivity or relation to oneself.
doubt: Latin (via Old French), from 'dubitare' meaning "to hesitate, waver." It functions as the core noun meaning uncertainty or lack of conviction.
Examples
A moment of self-doubt prevented her from speaking up in the meeting.
He struggled with intense self-doubt after the project's failure.
The coach's role is to build skill and reduce self-doubt in the athletes.