self-explanatory

adjective

self-ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry ˌself-ik-ˈspla-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce self-explanatory (audio)
: explaining itself : capable of being understood without explanation

Examples of self-explanatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Southwest's birthday is pretty self-explanatory, while Halloween is associated with a longstanding Southwest tradition — both corporate staffers and flight crew dress up for the holiday and have since the 1970s. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 Fallston’s rebound belt is self-explanatory, awarded objectively to the team’s top rebounder(s). Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 Some of the fastest-growing states in the pandemic era are also the ones with the worst bus service, according to data from School Bus Fleet, a trade magazine with a self-explanatory title. Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 There’s fast-talking Officer (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), self-explanatory Driver (Vincent Riotta), the sociopathic assassin known as Specialist (Niamh Algar), adroit lock-picker Greaseman (Tara Abboud) and others entrusted with munitions, logistics and post-mission medical care. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2023 Filmmakers selected for the festival’s self-explanatory Jio MAMI Select – Filmed on iPhone initiative include Archana Atul Phadke, Faraz Ali, Prateek Vats, Saurav Rai and Saumyananda Sahi. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023 Finally, the last choice is fairly self-explanatory. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2023 This coffee maker was very self-explanatory after reading the directions one time through: The control panel is very easy to read and shows ounces, cups, and single-serve brew options. Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023 The wines themselves are quite approachable, although the list is sometimes less than self-explanatory. Pete Wells, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-explanatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-explanatory was in 1737

Dictionary Entries Near self-explanatory

Cite this Entry

“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-explanatory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-explanatory

adjective
self-ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry
ˌsel-fik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē,
-ˌtȯr-
: understandable without explanation

More from Merriam-Webster on self-explanatory

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