self-employed

adjective

self-em·​ployed ˌself-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce self-employed (audio)
Synonyms of self-employednext
: earning income directly from one's own business, trade, or profession rather than as a specified salary or wages from an employer
self-employed noun

Examples of self-employed 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 programs need to be modernized along the lines of the administration’s recent effort to extend retirement tax credits to the self-employed. Karen Kornbluh, Fortune, 20 May 2026 They can be employed by a media company or self-employed. Mark Osborne, CBS News, 19 May 2026 Processing those additional documents requires more time and can create barriers for applicants, like those who are self-employed or have varying work schedules. Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 11 May 2026 Additional tax deductions for the self-employed include any insurance needed to cover their business, and some retirement plan options. Annette Nellen, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-employed

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-employed was in 1916

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Cite this Entry

“Self-employed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-employed. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

self-employed

adjective
self-em·​ployed
ˌsel-fim-ˈplȯid
: earning income from one's own business or profession rather than salary or wages from an employer

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