self-care

noun

ˌself-ˈker 

: care for oneself

stroke victims capable of daily self-care

the necessity of busy working parents to take time for self-care

specifically : health care provided by oneself often without the consultation of a medical professional

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are a common route for self-care, and consumers are eagerly using them …

—Alison Stein Wellner

—sometimes used before another noun

At-home screening is one side of the burgeoning self-care movement …

—Stephen Rae

Examples of self-care in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From self-care to performance art, gifting these different experiences will surely bring a smile to someone's face. —Erica Olsen, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025

Invest in your self-care this season with a Johnson Fitness & Wellness massage chair. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

Their tutorials have struck a chord, inspiring viewers to rethink their approach to daily cleanliness and turning what was once a mundane habit into a self-care ritual rooted in intention and skin health. —Samantha Leal, StyleCaster, 4 Dec. 2025

Outside of a stretch routine suitable for an Olympic gymnast, India Bradley maintains consistency in her self-care habits. —Malik Peay, Essence, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-care

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Medical Definition

self-care

noun

-ˈke(ə)r 

: care for oneself : self-treatment