self-evident

[self-ev-i-duhnt, self-]

adjective

1. evident in itself without proof or demonstration; axiomatic.

   Synonyms: self-explanatory, obvious

self-evident

adjective

1. containing its own evidence or proof without need of further demonstration

Other Word Forms

• self-evidence noun
• self-evidently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-evident¹

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

The appeal of “Lux” is self-evident: Rosalía sings beautifully and with great feeling, she has an unerring ear for melody and texture, and musical pleasures are abundant.

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The soul, then, is the most basic, obvious, and self-evident truth of existence.

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By characterizing this belief as a “proposition,” Lincoln subtly departed from the language of the declaration, which characterized it as “self-evident.”

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These definitions are self-evident and somewhat tedious, but they are not alone.

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Yes, ordinary Americans defeated would-be emperors in the past through political participation, nonviolent confrontation, decency of comportment — and a few self-evident truths.

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Related Words

• inescapable 
• undeniable 
• understandable 
• unquestionable