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

Do-it-yourself tax prep is still likely a straightforward task for them, several experts said.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

Do-it-yourself cervical tests are available in some countries, and researchers at King's College London trialled them in London in 2021 with "fantastic" results.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2025

Do-it-yourself repairs often require specialized tools, hard-to-obtain parts and access to diagnostic software that’s guarded by manufacturers.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2021

—Jay Peters, news writer Google Sheets Do-it-yourself budgeting Free Mint Track your spending Mint Tracking spending is one of the most daunting parts of having a budget.

From The Verge • Nov. 3, 2020

Do-it-yourself pinprick tests like the ones the British government ordered from China are far more complicated and much further off than such laboratory tests, researchers say.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2020

Related Words

• handmade