self-sufficient

[ self-suh-fish-uhnt, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf səˈfɪʃ ənt, ˌsɛlf- /

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See synonyms for self-sufficient on Thesaurus.com

adjective

able to supply one's own or its own needs without external assistance: The nation grows enough grain to be self-sufficient.

having extreme confidence in one's own resources, powers, etc.: He was self-sufficient, and always reminded you of it.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Also self-suf·fic·ing

[self-suh-fahy-sing]. /ˌsɛlf səˈfaɪ sɪŋ/.

Origin of self-sufficient

First recorded in 1580–90

OTHER WORDS FROM self-sufficient

self-suf·fi·cien·cy, nounself-suf·fi·cient·ly, adverbun·self-suf·fi·cien·cy, nounun·self-suf·fi·cient, adjective

un·self-suf·fi·cient·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use self-sufficient in a sentence

But such an approach works against the traditional pride in self-sufficiency espoused by many in the American middle class.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Domestically, the former governor offers an avowedly nationalistic agenda, focused on American self-sufficiency.
Iowa Frontrunner Mike Huckabee Talks to The Daily Beast|Lloyd Green|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Academic studies have found that mental health parenting evaluations often take this self-sufficiency view of parenting.
One Breakdown Can Mean Losing Your Kid Forever|ProPublica|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Food in Calabria was pride, self-sufficiency and community all mixed together in one mouthful.
A Young Chef Travels to Calabria, Italy, and Learns the Old Ways of Cooking|Curtis Stone|November 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I feel conservative in terms of limited government, individual responsibility, self-sufficiency — that sort of thing.
Ted Olson, the Conservative Republican Who Argued for Marriage Equality at the Supreme Court|Justin Green|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
David had replied, in that short tone of self-sufficiency which conveys so much more than the syllable would seem to warrant.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
One does not hate a youngster seven years one's junior merely because he is a mass of inexperience and self-sufficiency.
In Accordance with the Evidence|Oliver Onions
Humble and modest in the presence of a master-mind, he stood up proudly and boldly against foolish arrogance and self-sufficiency.
Autobiographical Reminiscences with Family Letters and Notes on Music|Charles Gounod
Their ignorance, however, is not equal to their self-sufficiency.
The Arena|Various
You lack the quality of self-sufficiency that is the characteristic of the higher critical faculties.
Murder in Any Degree|Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for self-sufficient

self-sufficient

self-sufficing

adjective

able to provide for or support oneself without the help of others

Derived forms of self-sufficient

self-sufficiency, nounself-sufficiently, adverb

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

self-sufficient

Origin of self-sufficient

OTHER WORDS FROM self-sufficient

Words related to self-sufficient

How to use self-sufficient in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for self-sufficient

self-sufficing

Derived forms of self-sufficient