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

the college student worked nights so that he would be self-sufficient
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, heading out on a self-sufficient expedition with your family was one of the few completely safe ways to experience life outside the house for many. Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 The unit is self-sufficient, with a Menlo Park battalion chief serving as team manager, a logistics specialist handling food, water, and transportation, and additional support personnel, Schlice said. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 July 2025 They are assumed to be self-sufficient when just the opposite is true. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 For example, if Country A must import jet engines or microchips from Country B, Country A might try to hack Country B’s companies to copy that technology and become self-sufficient. William Akoto, The Conversation, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-sufficient

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-sufficient. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!