self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp 

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

Suddenly, Ready says, inflammatory, negative content fell down the algorithmic rankings, while wellness, self-help and uplifting content became the most popular Pinterest posts. —Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2026

But Judah’s model was, in its way, less public, or at least less politically oriented, more atomized, similar to self-help figures like Oprah and Deepak Chopra, who might give private instruction and offer one-on-one spiritual therapy to the famous. —Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026

Committed to self-help, Smith began seriously participating in rehabilitation and was accepted into the Occupational Mentor Certification Program after years of good behavior. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025

Before the advent of social media, people picked up these ideas in self-help books, psychoanalysis, and pop culture. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-help

• help
• kelp
• skelp
• whelp
• yelp

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.