self-sufficient

American  

[self-suh-fish-uhnt, self-] / ˈsɛlf səˈfɪʃ ənt, ˌsɛlf- /

Also self-sufficing

adjective

1. able to supply one's own or its own needs without external assistance.

   The nation grows enough grain to be self-sufficient.

2. having extreme confidence in one's own resources, powers, etc..

   He was self-sufficient, and always reminded you of it.

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self-sufficient British  

adjective

1. able to provide for or support oneself without the help of others

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Other Word Forms

• self-sufficiency noun
• self-sufficiently adverb
• unself-sufficiency noun
• unself-sufficient adjective
• unself-sufficiently adverb

Etymology

Origin of self-sufficient

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Aristotle insisted that material possession should properly be limited to the amount required to participate in a self-sufficient community.

From The Wall Street Journal

It would make the community more self-sufficient and better prepared to respond to the Tyler Oliveiras of the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

It shouldn’t be a surprise that living more closely with the land, in a self-sufficient community, is the right way to survive.

From Literature

Industry executives say the pivot toward a self-sufficient defense industry is well under way.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the report warns that the UK is "unable" to be food self-sufficient at present based on current diets and prices – and full self-sufficiency would also require "very substantial price increases" for consumers.

From BBC

Related Words

• competent
• confident
• efficient
• self-supporting
• self-sustaining