self-improvement

noun

self-im·​prove·​ment ˌself-im-ˈprüv-mənt 

plural self-improvements

: the act or process of improving oneself by one's own actions

individuals interested in self-improvement

opportunities for self-improvement

also : an instance or result of such improvement

You don't need to wait to ring in the new year to start making self-improvements, because it's always a good time.

—Nicole Yi

—often used before another noun

self-improvement efforts

a self-improvement blog

Examples of self-improvement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These insights matter not only for scientists and policymakers but for the growing number of people trying psilocybin mushrooms for relief, self-improvement or out of curiosity. —Hollis Karoly, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026

Ultimately, even if the most fantastical dreams of recursive self-improvement turn out to be little more than a marketing ploy, marginal improvements in automating research are likely to further accelerate the pace of AI development. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026

Produced by Jeff Rosenstock, the new album from ex-Cayetana songwriter Augusta Koch revisits her old band’s punky power-pop with hard-hitting lyrics about self-improvement and communal uplift. —Tatiana Tenreyro, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026

The report also cites xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba, who suggests recursive self-improvement loops—where AI autonomously upgrades its own capabilities—could emerge as early as the first half of 2027. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-improvement

• improvement
• movement

Kids Definition

self-improvement

noun

self-im·​prove·​ment

ˌsel-ˌfim-ˈprüv-mənt

: improvement of oneself by one's own actions