self-care
Americannoun
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the act of attending to one’s physical or mental health, generally without medical or other professional consultation (often used attributively).
It’s been a rough week, so this weekend is all about self-care through exercise.
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the products or practices used to comfort or soothe oneself (often used attributively): Taking a bath is a great self-care activity when you’re feeling stressed.
Seeing friends is my self-care.
Taking a bath is a great self-care activity when you’re feeling stressed.
Etymology
Origin of self-care
First recorded in 1860–65
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.
In her thoughtful piece this week, Elizabeth Bernstein looks at how some therapists are encouraging estrangement from family as a means of self-care.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
A new triage tool will ask patients a series of questions, and will use the responses to direct them to a GP appointment, pharmacy, A&E, community service or offer self-care advice.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
A facial treatment is one of my favorite self-care moments when I’m on the road.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
“Women of all incomes will prioritize self-care over other things and men almost always do not,” Hoffman said.
From MarketWatch ● May 18, 2026
Mom’s big on self-care, and she’s always saying that when you take better care of yourself, you’re more productive, less stressed, and better at decision-making.
From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner
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.
