do-it-yourself

noun

do-it-your·​self ˌdü-i-chər-ˈself 

ˌdü-it-yər-

often attributive

: the activity of doing or making something (as in woodworking or home repair) without professional training or assistance

broadly : an activity in which one does something oneself or on one's own initiative

do-it-yourselfer

ˌdü-i-chər-ˈsel-fər 

ˌdü-it-yər-

noun

Examples of do-it-yourself in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s to help with your homework—at the free level, opting out is a do-it-yourself project. —PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2025

That do-it-yourself spirit is alive and well today. —Michael Moberly, Saveur, 13 Aug. 2025

Amazon isn’t just a one-stop destination for travel accessories and camping gear; the online retailer has also expanded into do-it-yourself cabin kits that are easy to build and offer overnight guests more privacy than a spare bedroom. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025

Our advice: Use competent tax professionals, and prepare to pay more for tax preparation—this isn’t a do-it-yourself situation. —William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for do-it-yourself

• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• itself
• meself
• myself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself
• yourself
• elf

Kids Definition

do-it-yourself

adjective

do-it-your·​self

ˌdü-ə-chər-ˈself

: of, relating to, or designed for a person without professional training or help to do or make

do-it-yourselfer

-ˈsel-fər

noun