self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce self-sufficient (audio)
1
: able to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid : capable of providing for one's own needs
a self-sufficient farm
2
: having an extreme confidence in one's own ability or worth : haughty, overbearing

Examples of self-sufficient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Using the latest technology, robot vacuums are very self-sufficient; some can map out your home, avoid stray objects, and suck up every crumb and strand of fur on your floors. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Chapman Partnership helps homeless people become self-sufficient. Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024 So Much Stuff: How Humans Discovered Tools, Invented Meaning and Made More of Everything Archaeologist Chip Colwell investigates why humankind went from self-sufficient primates to nonstop shoppers, from needing nothing to needing everything. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 Be self-sufficient Attract opportunities by not needing them. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The latest siege has only further crippled the ability of Gaza to be food self-sufficient. Yara M. Asi, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024 This is a top option for someone looking to buy a piece of land, build a home, and set up a self-sufficient lifestyle, growing crops and harvesting water and solar energy. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 These schools were meant to be as self-sufficient as possible, so students did a majority of the labor required to maintain the building, in addition to their classes. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024 What if crisis-whammies Nordic drama producers would now tap into other European stories instead of staying in the Nordic bubble and self-sufficient eco-system of mixed national and regional private and public coin? Annika Pham, Variety, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-sufficient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-sufficient was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near self-sufficient

Cite this Entry

“Self-sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-sufficient. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-sufficient

adjective
self-suf·​fi·​cient
ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ənt
: able to take care of oneself without outside help : independent

More from Merriam-Webster on self-sufficient

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