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
Examples of do-it-yourself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There will be a petting zoo, corn hole, kids zone, magic and science performances, and a do-it-yourself magic table.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Ghosts guns are do-it-yourself firearms assembled by hand from parts.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Many do-it-yourself investors assume that buying individual Treasury bonds is the province of professionals.
—Steve Garmhausen, wsj.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Other factors that reduce costs include a larger down payment, efficient appliances, alternative energy strategies and do-it-yourself repairs.
—Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
True to the community spirit of do-it-yourself punk and indie rock in the 1990s, Dupuis and her bands have been activists, putting time into causes like unionization, treating addiction with harm reduction and supplying prison inmates with instruments.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023
The German automaker revealed a special edition of the hot hatch today called the Golf GTI 380, announcing that this package will be fitted to every 2024 stick-shift GTI as a send-off to the do-it-yourself gearbox.
—Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 30 Aug. 2023
While many buyers with do-it-yourself attitudes can save money, bringing in help can save plenty of hassle.
—Chris Moody, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023
That helped offset still-high lumber prices and softness in do-it-yourself home projects.
—Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Ghosts guns are do-it-yourself firearms assembled by hand from parts.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Many do-it-yourself investors assume that buying individual Treasury bonds is the province of professionals.
—Steve Garmhausen, wsj.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Other factors that reduce costs include a larger down payment, efficient appliances, alternative energy strategies and do-it-yourself repairs.
—Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
True to the community spirit of do-it-yourself punk and indie rock in the 1990s, Dupuis and her bands have been activists, putting time into causes like unionization, treating addiction with harm reduction and supplying prison inmates with instruments.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023
The German automaker revealed a special edition of the hot hatch today called the Golf GTI 380, announcing that this package will be fitted to every 2024 stick-shift GTI as a send-off to the do-it-yourself gearbox.
—Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 30 Aug. 2023
While many buyers with do-it-yourself attitudes can save money, bringing in help can save plenty of hassle.
—Chris Moody, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023
That helped offset still-high lumber prices and softness in do-it-yourself home projects.
—Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'do-it-yourself.' 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
1952, in the meaning defined above
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 3 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
noun
-ˈsel-fər
More from Merriam-Webster on do-it-yourself
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about do-it-yourself
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