self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shənt 

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

Synonyms of self-sufficient

• independent

Examples of self-sufficient in a Sentence

the college student worked nights so that he would be self-sufficient

Recent Examples on the Web

Crucially, the estate is also partially self-sufficient, producing its own beef, veal, lamb, cheese, eggs, honey, olive oil, gin, herbs, and seasonal vegetables (which guests are invited to pick themselves). —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

To top it off, Ferrari claims the Hypersail will be the first 100-foot yacht in the world to be entirely self-sufficient. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026

The rocketeer claimed each of these organisms — floating in the void, crowding stars like phototropic cosmic foliage — would resemble a miniature biosphere, being metabolically self-sufficient. —Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026

In 1999, when production peaked on the UK Continental Shelf, Britain was a net exporter of oil, and was self-sufficient in gas. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-sufficient

• beneficent
• coefficient
• inefficient
• insufficient
• deficient
• efficient
• omniscient
• proficient
• sufficient

Kids Definition

self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient

ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ənt

: able to take care of oneself without outside help : independent