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

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

When the relationship ended two years later, Sarah redirected her energy to self-care, which had a remarkable effect. — Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Investors are overlooking the growth potential of German consumer giant Henkel's burgeoning haircare business as even cautious consumers continue to splurge on self-care routines, according to Barclays. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Circana’s research on little-treat culture found that consumers build routines around small indulgences, keeping a regular treat schedule, returning to the same favorite item or pairing a treat with another self-care activity. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

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