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 competitive advantage of trigger mastery: superpower self-development Learning to transform your triggers gives you an edge few people possess. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 June 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 Develop Yourself First Emotional intelligence can only be developed through self-development. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 The Happiness Retreat The cornerstone of the Art of Living’s programming is the Happiness Retreat, a 3-day immersive experience that blends ancient yogic wisdom with modern self-development practices. Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Still, Gen Z is cautious, with 22 percent prioritizing self-development before committing to serious relationships and many cite financial readiness as a key condition for having kids. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 This type of self-development dates back to the hugely popular Spiritualist movement of the 19th century. Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024 Making Mindset Accessible to Everyone While some self-development programs can cost thousands of dollars, The US WORK Force™ is designed to be affordable and accessible. William Mullane, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

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 5 Jul. 2025.

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