do-it-yourself

American  

[doo-i-cher-self, -it-yer-] / ˈdu ɪ tʃərˈsɛlf, -ɪt yər- /

DIY,

adjective

1. of or designed for construction or use by amateurs without special training.

   a do-it-yourself kit for building a radio.

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noun

1. the practice or hobby of building or repairing things for oneself, usually in one's own home.

do-it-yourself British  

noun

1. 1. the hobby or process of constructing and repairing things oneself

   2. ( as modifier )

      a do-it-yourself kit

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• do-it-yourselfer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of do-it-yourself

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

One member of this couple fell into a kitchen wall during a do-it-yourself wiring attempt, prompting him to hire professionals for major home repairs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Management cautioned that demand from do-it-yourself customers remained soft in the first quarter, with CEO Heidi Petz adding that she saw “little to no recovery in most end markets this year.”

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The head of environmental group Legambiente, Stefano Ciafani, described the 18 deaths as an "unprecedented attack on protected wildlife" and an example of "do-it-yourself justice".

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

There’s a lot to discuss about the do-it-yourself route versus working with a financial professional — especially when you’re in your 70s and already retired.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

It was a do-it-yourself contraption that you could assemble at home.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• handmade