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

Company offices were set up in Provence in 2005, and that year everything needed for do-it-yourself cosmetics was launched. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026

The do-it-yourself movement is gaining a resurgence. —Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026

This do-it-yourself kit includes a flexible round brush with a drill attachment that can reach up to 30 feet into your dryer vent hose to agitate and remove lint and dust trapped inside. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

The state moved into the 23rd spot for inbound moves by do-it-yourself movers last year after ranking 40th in 2024. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 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