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

So whether solo maxxing is a savvy financial commitment or isolation masked as self-care, Meyer suspects the dating economy will bend toward whoever makes connection feel less depleting. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 May 2026

This classic bath towel bundle is one of my favorites in my self-care routine. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2026

Loving Venus in your sign squares authoritative Saturn in your 10th House of Career, so self-care and duty compete for space. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

However, making self-care a regular part of your daily routine can empower you to better manage symptoms and enhance your overall quality of life. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 May 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