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

Graise knows just what to do with a role like Philip, who is seen as kindly and self-sufficient but insecure and treated unjustly by the community. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Being needed is her reason for waking up in the morning, but Irene is away and self-sufficient Altea is busy with her friends. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Though the Marina Enterprise Fund, supported by revenue from slip licenses and other fees, is meant to keep the marina self-sufficient, the cost of maintenance has outpaced revenue. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026

Smokejumpers undergo intense training and physical conditioning to work as self-sufficient crews for days or even weeks on fires not easily reachable by road. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 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