self-made

adjective

ˌself-ˈmād 

: made such by one's own actions

especially : having achieved success or prominence by one's own efforts

a self-made man

Examples of self-made in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Portrait of a Navajo woman in her traditional Native American and self-made dress. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

For teens building their first skincare habits or women redefining self-care as something for themselves rather than for others, this mist is a small but meaningful reminder that confidence can be self-made. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

For all the chatter about the Georgia wide receiver position this month, Kirby Smart notes that success for that group can’t be self-made. — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

According to Northwestern Mutual's 2025 Planning & Progress Study, nearly 80 percent of American millionaires are self-made. — Peter Tillinghast, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-made

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

self-made

adjective

ˈself-ˈmād

1

: made by one's own actions

2

: raised from poverty by one's own efforts

a self-made person