: made such by one's own actions
especially : having achieved success or prominence by one's own efforts
a self-made man

Examples of self-made in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite such a steep threshold, 14 newcomers earned their spots, all of whom are self-made. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Even in a world where self-made creators build empires before Hollywood comes begging, pay-for-play institutions have their place. Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025 Like Drahi, Pereira was entirely self-made. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 One can be set off by a new chief executive officer, the passage of time or some retail disaster — self-made or otherwise. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 11 July 2025 Most of my fellow condo-owners were extremely wealthy, though many, like me, were self-made. Gillian Telling, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Besides wealth, Forbes also ranked each member based on their lifetime charitable giving and the degree to which their fortunes are self-made or inherited. Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2024 Three-quarters of these 431 women inherited part of their fortunes, while the remaining billionaires are self-made. Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-made was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Self-made.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-made. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-made

adjective
ˈself-ˈmād
1
: made by one's own actions
2
: raised from poverty by one's own efforts
a self-made person

More from Merriam-Webster on self-made

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