10 Words For Someone Who Craves Attention

Craving attention isn’t a good trait to have. It’s something that leads a lot of people to do a lot of stupid things. It might help to know of a few words that can describe these types of people, and this article will help you with that.

What Do You Call Someone Who Craves Attention?

There are plenty of good words we can use to show that someone craves attention. Check out some of the following to see what works best for you:

Needy
Diva
Prima donna
Egotist
Histrionic
Grandstander
Ostentatious
Sycophant
Cynosure
Megalomaniac

The preferred version is “needy.” It’s a simple word that means someone is always looking for attention. “Needy” implies they “need” the attention; otherwise, they will not feel complete. It’s a very negative quality for a person to have, and it’s easy to spot.

Needy

“Needy” people “need” attention (hence the word). We can use this phrase to show that someone is always desperate to receive the attention of others, even if it’s for something ridiculous or something that other people wouldn’t want to be made public.

The definition of “needy,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “wanting too much attention and love.”

You’re very needy, Christina. I don’t know why people give you the time of day! It’s far too annoying for me.
Stop being needy, and you might get what you want! Just wait and see what happens.
You’re being too needy. You’ll need to change that attitude before you start losing your friends.

Diva

“Diva” is generally a feminine word, but it’s also started to be used for men in recent times. We can use it to talk about anyone who believes themselves to be more important, and they crave attention from others to prove this fact to themselves.

The definition of “diva,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a woman who behaves as if she is very special or important.”

Stop being a diva! We don’t care if you want more attention from us. We’re not going to give it to you.
You’re not as much of a diva as you seem to think. Though, you could do with a bit of help.
I’ll be a diva for as long as it keeps working. Everyone is always happy to please me!

Prima Donna

“Prima donna” comes from operatic performances. It usually refers to the leading woman in an opera, but we use it as a derogatory term to refer to anybody who likes to be treated in a special way (as if they’re above everyone else).

It can take a lot to please a prima donna because they think they’re entitled to a great deal. This goes hand in hand with their craving of attention in life.

The definition of “prima donna,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who demands to be treated in a special way and is difficult to please.”

Oh, you don’t have to be such a prima donna. Nobody thinks you’re all that special anyway.
I’m not a prima donna! I don’t mean to crave attention, and I’m trying to work on that about myself, so it doesn’t happen again.
She’s a prima donna. Can’t you tell by all the ridiculous things she requests of us?

Egotist

“Egotists” typically consider themselves to be better than others. They will crave attention because they believe that attention is what makes you better than other people in your life.

The more people interested in you, the more important you are. At least, that’s how egotists feel the world should work.

The definition of “egotist,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who considers himself or herself to be better or more important than other people.”

I’m not an egotist! Stop telling me that I crave attention in these ways because it’s not true.
You’re clearly an egotist! I don’t know why you even try to hide it! We can all see through your lies.
As an egotist, she likes to beg for attention. It’s quite pathetic if you ask me.

Histrionic

“Histrionic” is a good way to talk about someone’s behavior. It shows they have a lot of emotion in the way they speak or act, and they usually overact to try and attract the attentions of those around them.

The definition of “histrionic,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “showing a lot of emotion in order to persuade others or attract attention.”

Your histrionic outburst is not going to fly here. We don’t buy it for a second.
She’s histrionic by nature, so I wouldn’t listen to the things she says. She’s only in this for attention.
He’s got the histrionic character traits that one needs to be a good actor. That’s the best job he could have got.

Grandstander

A “grandstander” is someone who likes to speak outlandishly. They will talk in ways that make it sound like they’re important or they know what they’re talking about.

The word comes from people standing atop grandstands and making speeches.

The definition of “grandstander,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who acts or speaks in a way that is intended to attract attention and impress people watching.”

I wouldn’t listen to a word she says. She’s a grandstander, so she likes to exaggerate to get attention.
I’m not a grandstander by choice, but it seems like nobody ever wants to listen to me.
You’re a grandstander! I hate to be the one to tell you that, but you’ve got a lot of soul-searching to do now!

Ostentatious

“Ostentatious” means someone likes to show off their money or possessions. Typically, this is done to try and impress other people. The aim of ostentatious people is to get others to admire them for what they have achieved (even if it’s all superficial).

The definition of “ostentatious,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “too obviously showing your money, possessions, or power, in an attempt to make other people notice and admire you.”

He’s ostentatious, alright. There’s no denying that, but we don’t know how to talk him out of it.
You’re quite the ostentatious sort. Have you ever thought that maybe people don’t care about your possessions, though?
You’re too ostentatious for your own good sometimes. I don’t know what you expect to get out of all this bragging.

Sycophant

“Sycophants” need attention in very specific ways. They’ll typically try to get it by praising those more powerful than they are. They do this in the hopes that the more powerful people will rise them up and give them a reason to feel better than others below them.

The definition of “sycophant,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who praises powerful or rich people in a way that is not sincere, usually in order to get some advantage from them.”

She’s a sycophant, which is why she tends to ignore the little guys in her life in favor of the rich and powerful.
You’re a sycophant, and you worship the famous people in your life! It’s actually pathetic.
Will you stop being a sycophant? It’s not going to get you ahead in life, I can assure you.

Cynosure

“Cynosure” generally applies in a positive way to refer to someone or something that is so good it attracts a lot of attention. We can use it negatively to show that someone wishes they could be a “cynosure” to try and get people’s attention.

Naturally, not many people are cynosures. It takes a lot to achieve this level of attraction from others, so it’s more likely that some people are looking for ways for it to apply to them. They’ll be seeking attention with everything they do.

The definition of “cynosure,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person or thing that is so good or beautiful that it attracts a lot of attention.”

It’s clear you’d like to be a cynosure, but I don’t think you’re anywhere near good enough.
People don’t care about you, and you’re not a cynosure! Stop pretending like you are one!
I think he believes himself to be a cynosure. I don’t see why anyone would ever agree with him, though.

Megalomaniac

“Megalomaniac” works well to show that someone is always looking for ways to improve their power or control. They will usually do this by getting the attention of others.

The more people’s attention they have, the more powerful a megalomaniac will believe they are. They’ll start to think their actions and words will have more of a profound effect.

The definition of “megalomaniac,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who has an unnaturally strong wish for power and control, or thinks that they are much more important and powerful than they really are.”

I think you’re a bit of a megalomaniac, and you really should work on that before applying for that job.
Stop being a megalomaniac! We don’t have time to deal with all of your problems right now.
As a megalomaniac, she has a hard time letting other people take the limelight from her. She’s working on it, though.