self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp How to pronounce self-help (audio)
 Southern also  ˈhep
: the action or process of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without the aid of others
especially : the coping with one's personal or emotional problems without professional help
self-help adjective

Examples of self-help in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Besides her political experience, Williamson is also an author who's written multiple self-help books and was previously a spiritual leader. Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024 Still, the best self-help books share certain features: thoughtful reflections paired with gentle guidance, personal insights merged with broader knowledge. Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024 Shaheen, a 25-year-old writer with a marketing background, is the new breakout star of the self-help genre. Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024 The Gospel of Love helped transform popular Protestantism from a religion obsessed with sin and salvation into what is essentially a mode of self-help. Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024 This is Melvin’s ship now, and the tone in the dugout is noticeably different from former manager and wannabe self-help guru Gabe Kapler. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024 Spotify said in a release that half of its premium subscribers have listened to educational or self-help podcasts. Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2024 Was that how Boone would personally decompress—meditation, reading self-help books, and spa days? Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024 In these videos, Hildebrandt and Franke sit side by side on a couch discussing topics like parenting and offering self-help tips. Samantha Wanderer, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-help.' 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

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-help was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near self-help

Cite this Entry

“Self-help.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-help. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-help

noun
ˈself-ˈhelp
: the act of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without aid of others

Legal Definition

self-help

noun
ˈself-ˈhelp
: the act of redressing or preventing a wrong by one's own actions rather than through legal proceedings

Note: The Uniform Commercial Code permits creditors to repossess collateral by self-help if it can be done without a breach of the peace.

More from Merriam-Webster on self-help

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