self-contained

[self-kuh n-teynd, self-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR self-contained ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

containing in oneself or itself all that is necessary; independent.

reserved or uncommunicative.

self-controlled or self-possessed.

(of a machine or mechanism) complete in itself.

Nearby words

Origin of self-contained

First recorded in 1585–95

Related formsself-con·tain·ed·ly

[self-kuh n-tey-nid-lee, self-] /ˈsɛlf kənˈteɪ nɪd li, ˌsɛlf-/, adverbself-con·tain·ed·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-contained

They can do this because they believe they operate in self-contained worlds unto themselves.
Was It Irresponsible of Israel to Apologize to Turkey?|Brent E. Sasley|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The three episodes will be a self-contained arc ending at Prom Night and will serve as a prologue for the rest of the series.
Introducing ‘School of Thrones’: ‘Game of Thrones’ Parody Web Series|Molly Taylor|March 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At its peak The Farm had 1,500 members; it was a self-contained world with its own school, farm, midwives and social tenets.
Living On—And Leaving—America’s Biggest Commune|Rena Mundo Croshere|November 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The acting exists in a self-contained bubble of Phoenix yelling at Hoffman and Hoffman yelling at Phoenix, and more yelling.
A Debate About Paul Thomas Anderson’s Movie ‘The Master’|Ramin Setoodeh, Marlow Stern|September 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Each of Baker's paragraphs also seem to exist in a self-contained platform.
Nicholson Baker, Katie Kitamura, and This Week’s Hot Reads: July 30, 2012|Jimmy So|July 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He is a thorough Englishman, self-relying and self-contained; a well-bred gentleman without a jot of effeminacy.
Successful Exploration Through the Interior of Australia|William John Wills
Into his self-contained life the affairs of the world could effect no entry.
Chapters on Jewish Literature|Israel Abrahams
Later on I had religious ideas which helped me considerably in my ideals of a decent, orderly, self-contained life.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 1 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis
Yes, whatever else is unholy, there is a Holy One—spotless and undefiled, serene and self-contained.
Daily Thoughts|Charles Kingsley
The nurse was very kind to him, and her heart went out to the quiet, self-contained man.
His Majesty Baby and Some Common People|Ian MacLaren

British Dictionary definitions for self-contained

self-contained

adjective

containing within itself all parts necessary for completeness

(of a flat) having its own kitchen, bathroom, and lavatory not shared by others and usually having its own entrance

able or tending to keep one's feelings, thoughts, etc, to oneself; reserved

able to control one's feelings or emotions in the presence of others

Derived Formsself-containedly, adverbself-containedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for self-contained

self-contained

adj.

1590s, from self- + contained (see contain).

self-contained

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of self-contained

Examples from the Web for self-contained

self-contained

adjective

self-contained