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

• 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

What Ukraine’s military lacks in expensive munitions, it has also tried to make up for in innovative do-it-yourself defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Others were painted blue or purple or polka-dotted, with big banners out front and colorful menu boards and tables like do-it-yourself sidewalk cafes.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• handmade