self-development

noun

self-de·​vel·​op·​ment ˌself-di-ˈve-ləp-mənt How to pronounce self-development (audio)
-dē-
plural self-developments
: development of one's own capabilities or possibilities
Writing has been for a long time my major tool for self-instruction and self-development.Toni Cade Bambara
a self-development course/program

Examples of self-development in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The future is open and waiting for those who are passionate about their own self-development. Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 This self-development, as Aristotle writes, is a necessary part of the good life – a life of eudaimonia. Ross Channing Reed, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2025 It’s been great for my own psychological self-development. David Lyman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Get real self-development with access to Headway Premium for just $47.99 (reg. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 18 June 2025 Practicing self-reflection and self-development will shift your mindset toward growth. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025 Wegz approaches every question from a different angle, as if his focus was already on what comes next and the self-development it’s taken to get to this point. Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-development was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Self-development.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-development. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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