To save this word, you'll need to log in.
self-for·ma·tion | \ ˌself-fȯr-ˈmā-shən 
\
\Definition of self-formation
: the act or process of forming or developing oneself or itself
… discussing how, during this vulnerable time of self-formation and raging emotions, teenagers actually have no idea how to read social cues.— Katy Waldman
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on self-formation
What made you want to look up self-formation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
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
Share self-formation
Time Traveler for self-formation
The first known use of self-formation was circa 1713
See more words from the same year