self-employed

adjective

self-em·​ployed ˌself-im-ˈplȯid 

: 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

Arrest’s effect on life and work Dillon was self-employed as a commercial crabber and was arrested during a particularly lucrative time of the year for his occupation, the lawsuit said. —ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026

The self-employed can also opt in, receiving 80% of their average weekly net earnings. —Eileen Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

Or the landlord raises the rent, or property prices are rising so rapidly that rent becomes the biggest financial concern for the self-employed. —Paula De La Cruz, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-employed

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• carotenoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• meteoroid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid

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