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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
Elle Chan, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
Justin later shared a selfie in front of a fireplace lined with Christmas stockings, as well as a photo of himself and his wife, Rhode founder Hailey Bieber, bundled up in winter gear.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2025
Most recently, the family gave a peek into their holiday celebrations with Kimberly's Thanksgiving Instagram Stories, showcasing their dinner table set up and a selfie with their two sons.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
In the elevator, the group took selfies with Santa.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for selfie
Cite this Entry
“Selfie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.
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