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

Chad Powers is hollow and unconvincing — especially the hints of Russ’ self-improvement and the inevitable vague flirtations between Chad and Ricky — but what if it’s all supposed to be hollow and unconvincing? —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025

Every year, Virgo season brings forth the opportunity for optimization, digging deep into the process, focusing on health, self-improvement, and the finer details that make up the everyday. —Essence, 18 Sep. 2025

The same is true for any kind of self-improvement habit. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Much of the 31-year-old comic’s material revolves around getting by in an increasingly stupid world — half-hearted attempts at self-improvement, if not self-preservation. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 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