self-improvement

noun

self-im·​prove·​ment ˌself-im-ˈprüv-mənt 

plural self-improvements

: the act or process of improving oneself by one's own actions

individuals interested in self-improvement

opportunities for self-improvement

also : an instance or result of such improvement

You don't need to wait to ring in the new year to start making self-improvements, because it's always a good time.

—Nicole Yi

—often used before another noun

self-improvement efforts

a self-improvement blog

Examples of self-improvement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps not coincidentally, Crowe has been on a long-running, hit-and-miss self-improvement program for at least two decades. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025

But if humans themselves are in a constant search for optimization and self-improvement, so are cities as a whole. —Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025

Eid has developed the skin care in the same spirit of quality and self-improvement. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 3 Dec. 2025

Other offerings, some provided by local small businesses, include medical, dental and vision treatment, haircuts, and recreational and self-improvement classes. —Theresa Walker, Oc Register, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-improvement

• improvement
• movement

Kids Definition

self-improvement

noun

self-im·​prove·​ment

ˌsel-ˌfim-ˈprüv-mənt

: improvement of oneself by one's own actions