self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp 

Southern also ˈhep

: the action or process of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without the aid of others

especially : the coping with one's personal or emotional problems without professional help

self-help adjective

Examples of self-help in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the advent of social media, people picked up these ideas in self-help books, psychoanalysis, and pop culture. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Due in September 2025, Trip of a Lifetime promises to present personal memoirs coupled with a self-help framework. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Next came the two interviewers of the bunch, best-selling self-help phenom Mel Robbins and actor and comedian Dax Shepard, who has had about 1,000 conversations with A-listers and scholars since 2018 on his show Armchair Expert. —Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025

For years, self-help books and articles have pegged these traits, among others, as the qualities to look for in workplace leaders. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-help

• help
• kelp
• skelp
• whelp
• yelp

Kids Definition

self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp

: the act of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without aid of others

Legal Definition

self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp

: the act of redressing or preventing a wrong by one's own actions rather than through legal proceedings

Note: The Uniform Commercial Code permits creditors to repossess collateral by self-help if it can be done without a breach of the peace.