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

• independent
• self-dependent
• self-reliant
• self-subsistent
• self-subsisting
• self-supported
• self-supporting
• self-sustained
• self-sustaining

Examples of self-sufficient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of his patients were white, geriatric and still largely self-sufficient — members of the same demographic as the country’s two leading presidential candidates in the 2024 election, 81-year-old Joe Biden and 77-year-old Donald Trump. —Eli Saslow Erin Schaff Eli Saslow, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Huawei has been hit hard by U.S. restrictions on semiconductor exports to China and is at the vanguard of Chinese efforts to become self-sufficient and a leader in technology. —Fatima Hussein, Fortune Asia, 5 Apr. 2024

With so many people leaving the capital, some advocates see a chance for other regions of Haiti to become more self-sufficient and grow their local economies. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

Sadowski said his goal is to continue to be self-sufficient as an artist, do side commercial gigs and show his art in more galleries. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

Despite some controversy around the mountain of cash plowed into the club in the last couple of years, there is a growing expectation that the club will become self-sufficient as football operations regulate. —Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 3 Apr. 2024

Then the mother gives birth to live young, and these babies are self-sufficient with teeth and jaws, ready to survive on their own. —Gareth J. Fraser, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024

Ceanothus will need occasional attention to its water needs the first year or two in the ground but should be completely self-sufficient after that. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024

Using the latest technology, robot vacuums are very self-sufficient; some can map out your home, avoid stray objects, and suck up every crumb and strand of fur on your floors. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient

ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ənt

: able to take care of oneself without outside help : independent