selfie

noun

self·​ie ˈsel-fē How to pronounce selfie (audio)
: an image that includes oneself (often with another person or as part of a group) and is taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks

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What is the origin of selfie?

The first-known appearance of selfie in written form occurred in 2002 on an Australian news website, but the word didn't see much use until 2012. By November 2013, selfie was appearing frequently enough in print and electronic media that Oxford Dictionaries (publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary as well as other dictionaries) chose the word as its Word of the Year. This announcement itself led to a significant increase in the use of the word by news organizations, an increase that was further boosted following the December 2013 memorial service for Nelson Mandela, at which American President Barack Obama was caught taking a selfie with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and British Prime Minister David Cameron. The word selfie, with its suggestions of self-centeredness and self-involvement, was particularly popular with critics who saw this moment as a reflection of the President's character.

Examples of selfie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The selfie comes after Paltrow shared a sweet Instagram post on March 1 to celebrate Falchuk's 53rd birthday. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 Are self-portraits the predecessors of modern-day selfies? Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 Neighbors shared photos on chat groups; an unusual crowd gathered to snap selfies and give interviews to journalists. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Our digital detox was a world away from the tourists taking selfies up the hill backdropped by the iconic grandiose Fairmont Le Château Frontenac​​. Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024 There are two sides of the red carpet: The one everyone sees at home with megawatt stars, and the one behind them where other ticket holders walk up a massive staircase, also draped in scarlet, where staff members politely and sternly moved everyone along as people lingered to take selfies. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 Two fans, Frankie Lozada and Gabriel Cornejo, stood nearby, hoping to take selfies with the debaters. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Earlier in the day, Zendaya stole the show at a more temperate reception downstairs, graciously taking selfies with throngs of starstruck revelers. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The founder of the massive hedge fund Bridgewater Associates posted a selfie at a Taylor Swift concert in Singapore on Thursday and wrote that he was inspired by her ability to bring people together. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'selfie.' 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

2002, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selfie was in 2002

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Dictionary Entries Near selfie

Cite this Entry

“Selfie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

selfie

noun
self·​ie
ˈsel-fē
plural selfies
: an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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