self-sufficient
Americanadjective
-
able to supply one's own or its own needs without external assistance.
The nation grows enough grain to be self-sufficient.
-
having extreme confidence in one's own resources, powers, etc..
He was self-sufficient, and always reminded you of it.
adjective
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
Explanation
If you take care of yourself and don't depend much on other people, you're self-sufficient. Some 20-year-olds are self-sufficient, while others still need help from their families. You can use self-sufficient to describe people who are independent financially, paying their own bills and working to support themselves, or people who are independent emotionally. It can also mean "growing enough food for its people" when you talk about a self-sufficient country or region: "They are trying to empower farmers so the country can become self-sufficient and maybe even begin to export food."
Vocabulary lists containing self-sufficient
My Side of the Mountain
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Age of Jackson and Westward Expansion, Lessons 6–7
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Woodsong
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Did growing up in DIY culture prepare you for the modern music industry, where you have to be self-sufficient with every aspect of your career?
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
He has largely been a single parent to Shy’tyra and her siblings, who need some support too, although they’re more self-sufficient.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026
Not the U.S., which is largely self-sufficient in energy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
Even if the United States is self-sufficient in natural gas, these costs still take their cue from global markets.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
He built this house with his own two hands, he says, and his goal is to be entirely self-sufficient.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
