self-identify

verb

self-iden·​ti·​fy ˌself-ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī 

-ə-ˈden-

self-identified; self-identifying; self-identifies

intransitive

: identify sense intransitive 2

Examples of self-identify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Published in 2023, as part of the Black Women’s Health Study, nearly 45,000 women who self-identified as Black, reported their relaxer usage between 1997 and 2019. — James Manso, Allure, 14 Sep. 2026

Before Bret can continue to self-identify as Shakespeare’s most famous hero, he’s questioned by Detectives Donaldson and Fregosi, who wonder if Bret isn’t being honest about the nature of his relationship with Matt. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

ProPublica reporter Audrey Dutton obtained coroner and law enforcement records for deaths of children whose parents self-identified as refusing medical care for religious reasons. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Music streaming giant Spotify will soon introduce an AI Persona badge on profiles of artists that have been flagged, or self-identified, as not human. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-identify

• canaliculi
• dwi
• micronuclei
• oversimplify
• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli