Self-deprecate

To express a belittling or disparaging view of oneself; to make oneself appear less important, capable, or worthy, often humorously. It involves downplaying one's abilities, accomplishments, or attributes, typically with a self-aware and often witty tone. This behavior aims to create a sense of relatability, deflate ego, or avoid appearing boastful. The act is a common form of social interaction and can influence others' perception, either positively or negatively, depending on the context and frequency.

Self-deprecate meaning with examples

• During his stand-up routine, the comedian consistently self-deprecates, joking about his receding hairline and lack of coordination. This approach, in a bid to connect with his audience, made him appear approachable and relatable, making the humor more impactful. His jokes relied on acknowledging perceived flaws.
• While presenting his award-winning research, Dr. Jones self-deprecates about his struggles with grant applications, pointing out how much of his success he attributed to luck. He downplayed the amount of work he had done. It humanized him, and helped to foster a sense of approachability amongst the students.
• She self-deprecates about her cooking skills, always claiming she's a 'terrible chef,' despite often serving delicious meals. This allows her to downplay expectations and avoid pressure, while subtly acknowledging the disparity between her declared lack of skill and her results, for a playful humor.
• In a job interview, he might subtly self-deprecate regarding a past mistake, acknowledging his learning curve. This shows self-awareness and humility and might be a good approach to showing that he learns from his mistakes, which may impress the hiring manager.