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

And, the idea of do-it-yourself debt settlement strategies seems straightforward and easy to manage, too. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 15 May 2026

Provide easy do-it-yourself training modules to actively shift away from heavy, technical onboarding. — Prathamesh Bhingarde, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

This offers the do-it-yourself warrior a simple, direct route from antiquated lead-acid to state-of-the-art lithium without having to search for esoteric parts online. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026

In the Philippines, which declared a national energy emergency, consumers have turned to rooftop solar at record rates, as a quick, do-it-yourself solution to rising utility bills. — Anton L. Delgado, Fortune, 17 June 2026

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