self-sufficient

Also self-suf·fic·ing

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

adjective

1. able to supply one's own or its own needs without external assistance.

   The nation grows enough grain to be self-sufficient.

2. having extreme confidence in one's own resources, powers, etc..

   He was self-sufficient, and always reminded you of it.

self-sufficient

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• self-sufficiency noun
• self-sufficiently adverb
• unself-sufficiency noun
• unself-sufficient adjective
• unself-sufficiently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-sufficient¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

It is difficult to quantify China’s semiconductor production, but even the most aggressive forecasts fall short of the country’s demand, illustrating its challenge in becoming fully self-sufficient, many experts said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The basin itself holds enough deposits to allow Brazil to become close to self-sufficient in potash.

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The new company will be “financially self-sufficient,” Eni said, with plans to invest more than $15 billion over the next five years.

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It also turns self-sufficient producers into supplicants pleading for subsidies.

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He and other board members said the plan will help L.A. weather droughts, become more locally self-sufficient and take less water from distant sources.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• competent 
• confident 
• efficient 
• self-supporting 
• self-sustaining