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 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

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

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 3 Oct. 2023.

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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