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

Szyjka and Dimitroff said the cherry trees are pretty self-sufficient. —Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

The urgent need to rearm following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and an apparent fracturing of relations within NATO mean Europe must become more self-sufficient in its defense production. —Sam Meredith,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026

Resembling the size and shape of a semi truck’s fuel tanker, it was designed to use seawater to cool itself and be largely self-sufficient once anchored to the seabed. —Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026

Next, researchers aim to test and integrate this system with other life-support technologies, moving closer to a fully self-sufficient habitat. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 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