If you describe someone as a self-confessed murderer or a self-confessed romantic, for example, you mean that they admit openly that they are a murderer or a romantic. The self-confessed drug addict was arrested 13 months ago. admitting that you have a particular quality, especially one that is bad
owned up to; "his admitted doubts"; "the conceded error"; "a confessed murderer"; "a self-confessed plagiarist"