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

The comprehensive business plan, introduced in 2020, aims to capture market share across both do-it-yourself consumers and professional contractors. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Home Depot's larger exposure to professionals versus the do-it-yourself crowd is paying off in this brutal housing market. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Regularly checking your engine oil and tire pressure are key do-it-yourself maintenance tasks. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 22 July 2026

This pathway is less arduous than the SSA disability determination but is not a do-it-yourself task. — James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 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