selfie

noun

self·​ie ˈsel-fē 

: an image that includes oneself (often with another person or as part of a group) and is taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks

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What is the origin of selfie?

The first-known appearance of selfie in written form occurred in 2002 on an Australian news website, but the word didn't see much use until 2012. By November 2013, selfie was appearing frequently enough in print and electronic media that Oxford Dictionaries (publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary as well as other dictionaries) chose the word as its Word of the Year. This announcement itself led to a significant increase in the use of the word by news organizations, an increase that was further boosted following the December 2013 memorial service for Nelson Mandela, at which American President Barack Obama was caught taking a selfie with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and British Prime Minister David Cameron. The word selfie, with its suggestions of self-centeredness and self-involvement, was particularly popular with critics who saw this moment as a reflection of the President's character.

Examples of selfie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sweeney started her post with a selfie and included shots from an indoor rock climbing session. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

In another photo, Alejandra snapped a selfie wearing a white soccer jersey and matching skirt, while two of her sons wore red and blue jerseys. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

The actress went bare-faced in a selfie with Garten, 78, who paired a denim button-down with pearl dangle earrings. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 20 July 2026

For Donath, that creates a vital issue, and one that these surveillance selfies aren’t immune from even if people are just having a bit of fun. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for selfie

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

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Kids Definition

selfie

noun

self·​ie

ˈsel-fē

plural selfies

: an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks