Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

self-abuse

noun \ ˌself-ə-ˈbyüs \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of self-abuse

1 : reproach of oneself
2 : masturbation
3 : abuse of one's body or health

See self-abuse defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of self-abuse

1605

SELF-ABUSE Defined for English Language Learners

self-abuse

noun

Definition of self-abuse for English Language Learners

  • : things that you do that harm your own body or health

Medical Dictionary

self-abuse

noun \ ˌself-ə-ˈbyüs \

medical Definition of self-abuse

: masturbation

Learn More about self-abuse

  1. See words that rhyme with self-abuse

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up self-abuse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

bloviate

play

to speak or write verbosely and windily

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

self-abuse

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

alt-5ad77fad37d22
What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix'?

We can thank Beetle Bailey.

alt-5ad76a1542e73
'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game