To save this word, you'll need to log in.
self-di·rec·tive | \ ˌself-də-ˈrek-tiv 
, -dī- \
, -dī- \Definition of self-directive
1 : self-directed sense 1 self-directive learning The core aspect of the definition of "play" is that it's self-directive. You're deciding what you're going to do with whatever you're interacting with.— Jeri Kayser
2 : self-directed sense 3 self-directive learners My mom was very much about being self-directive as a woman and not finding your identity in who you were with.— Cate Blanchett
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on self-directive
What made you want to look up self-directive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
- The magician
______moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- More Confusing Words—Quiz
How many of these commonly confused words do you know?
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?
Play the game
Share self-directive
Time Traveler for self-directive
The first known use of self-directive was in 1855
See more words from the same year