self-fulfilling

[self-fool-fil-ing]

adjective

1. characterized by or bringing about self-fulfillment.

2. happening or brought about as a result of being foretold, expected, or talked about.

   a self-fulfilling prophecy.

self-fulfilling

adjective

1. (of an opinion or prediction) borne out because it is expected to be true or to happen

   a self-fulfilling prophecy

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-fulfilling¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

"I'm concerned about the narrative which is that young men are drifting towards the right being seen as a self-fulfilling prophecy where young men are then considered a problem," he says.

From BBC

The problem is that the doom-mongering - some of it which can be traced back to Downing Street rhetoric from a year ago - could become self-fulfilling.

From BBC

“You can create self-fulfilling prophecies, that if you offer poor wages and poor working conditions, and Americans don’t show up and apply for those jobs, and then you turn around and say, ‘Well, you see, only immigrants will take them,’” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, he has taken an action, influenced by a set of circumstances not all of which were in his control, that has made that more of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

From BBC

I really believe the words you say about yourself and others become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does self-fulfilling prophecy mean?

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that causes itself to be true due to the behavior (including the act of predicting it) of the believer.Self-fulling, here, means “brought about as a result of being foretold or talked about,” while prophecy refers to the prediction.