self-sufficient
Americanadjective
-
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.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- self-sufficiency noun
- self-sufficiently adverb
- unself-sufficiency noun
- unself-sufficient adjective
- unself-sufficiently adverb
Etymology
Origin of self-sufficient
First recorded in 1580–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“A world that becomes self-sufficient in defence and energy could also be a world that holds less dollar reserves.”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026
The industry source told AFP that the need to import raw materials, the high energy costs and limited infrastructure mean the country cannot be entirely self-sufficient in medicine production.
From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026
Administration officials say the long-term vision is to make industries self-sufficient.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026
The aim is for the school's pantry to then become self-sufficient, with the nominal fee for food covering the cost of buying it from distributors.
From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026
“It is a test of endurance, not skill. I’m attempting to make the circus self-sufficient before...”
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
