self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce self-sufficient (audio)
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

Examples of self-sufficient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Chapman Partnership helps homeless people become self-sufficient. Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024 So Much Stuff: How Humans Discovered Tools, Invented Meaning and Made More of Everything Archaeologist Chip Colwell investigates why humankind went from self-sufficient primates to nonstop shoppers, from needing nothing to needing everything. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 Be self-sufficient Attract opportunities by not needing them. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The latest siege has only further crippled the ability of Gaza to be food self-sufficient. Yara M. Asi, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024 This is a top option for someone looking to buy a piece of land, build a home, and set up a self-sufficient lifestyle, growing crops and harvesting water and solar energy. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-sufficient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-sufficient was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near self-sufficient

Cite this Entry

“Self-sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-sufficient. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-sufficient

adjective
self-suf·​fi·​cient
ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ənt
: able to take care of oneself without outside help : independent

More from Merriam-Webster on self-sufficient

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