self-evident

American  

[self-ev-i-duhnt, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈɛv ɪ dənt, ˈsɛlf- /

adjective

1. evident in itself without proof or demonstration; axiomatic.

   Synonyms:

   self-explanatory , obvious

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self-evident British  

adjective

1. containing its own evidence or proof without need of further demonstration

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Other Word Forms

• self-evidence noun
• self-evidently adverb

Etymology

Origin of self-evident

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

The appeal of “Lux” is self-evident: Rosalía sings beautifully and with great feeling, she has an unerring ear for melody and texture, and musical pleasures are abundant.

From The Wall Street Journal

The soul, then, is the most basic, obvious, and self-evident truth of existence.

From The Wall Street Journal

By characterizing this belief as a “proposition,” Lincoln subtly departed from the language of the declaration, which characterized it as “self-evident.”

From The Wall Street Journal

These definitions are self-evident and somewhat tedious, but they are not alone.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yes, ordinary Americans defeated would-be emperors in the past through political participation, nonviolent confrontation, decency of comportment — and a few self-evident truths.

From Salon

Related Words

• inescapable
• undeniable
• understandable
• unquestionable