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

Healthopia encompasses aspects of self-care and hospitality in both retail settings and consumer products. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025

For Houghton, slowing down has become a form of self-care. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025

Real self-care means learning how to protect your mental and physical health despite the crushing demands on your time. —Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025

These self-care scents are packed with oil aromatherapy standouts like cedar, orange, and pine to calm the senses. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 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