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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
Evan Moore
november 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Nov. 2025
Just a day before Thanksgiving, Ganzorigt revealed the name of Hailey Bieber's latest manicure on Instagram, posting two of the 29-year-old model's mirror selfies from recent birthday roundups.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2025
The performer shared a playful Instagram post in February 2025 featuring a carousel of photos, including selfies, behind-the-scenes shots from performances and one of her wearing a disco ball on her head.
—Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
At least enough to pose for a selfie together.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 2025.
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