do-it-yourself

noun

do-it-your·​self ˌdü-i-chər-ˈself How to pronounce do-it-yourself (audio)
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 noun

Examples of do-it-yourself in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
House made toppings and salsas are available at the do-it-yourself salsa bar. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024 Even better, rice water is an easy and affordable do-it-yourself home treatment that doesn’t contain unnatural chemicals. Alice Rosati, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 The company’s consumer tax group also grew 7%, but that reflects fast growth in TurboTax Live (which includes both human assisted and full service products), even as the number of taxpayers using fully do-it-yourself products like TurboTax Online declined. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 Try a do-it-yourself indirect viewer, like a pinhole projector or funnel viewer. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for do-it-yourself 

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of do-it-yourself was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near do-it-yourself

Cite this Entry

“Do-it-yourself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-it-yourself. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on do-it-yourself

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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