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

But Beijing has also made tremendous strides in homegrown technologies, a key goal of its previous plan, which was all about making the country more self-sufficient, especially ending its reliance on American and other Western technologies. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

Lots of the amenities, though (like the custom newspaper that tells you what to do in the area), are designed for self-sufficient guests. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

This is a bag with enough backcountry gear and lifesaving materials for the person to be self-sufficient if the mission stretches overnight. —Jayme Moye, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026

Broce said the agency tapers services such as behavior aides for potentially self-sufficient teenagers with judicial involvement. —CBS News, 27 Feb. 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