Synonyms of self-taughtnext
1
: having knowledge or skills acquired by one's own efforts without formal instruction
a self-taught musician
2
: learned by oneself
self-taught knowledge

Examples of self-taught in a Sentence

the cellist's success is all the more remarkable because she is self-taught
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Deng graduated from elementary school in 1966, but the rest of her education was self-taught. René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026 Other artists are lesser known, such as Eunice Pinney, an early 19th-century folk watercolorist who was entirely self-taught, as well as Bernarda Bryson, a printmaker who depicted farmers in New Deal-era art and only gained recognition later in her life. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026 David MacMartin, a Westview science teacher who taught her honors and Advanced Placement biology, said most of Fan’s skills with the work were self-taught. Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 Where Obama is a product of Ivy League schools, Lincoln was largely self-taught. Jim Williams, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-taught

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-taught was in 1586

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Cite this Entry

“Self-taught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-taught. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

self-taught

adjective
ˈself-ˈtȯt
1
: having knowledge or skills acquired by one's own efforts without formal instruction
a self-taught musician
2
: learned by oneself
self-taught knowledge

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