self-explanatory

adjective

self-ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry ˌself-ik-ˈspla-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce self-explanatory (audio)
: explaining itself : capable of being understood without explanation

Examples of self-explanatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Stable Diffusion has three self-explanatory options for using your own content: Copy Contour, Copy Pose, and Sketch to Image. OpenArt gives you several more ways to influence your result image based on an uploaded picture. Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 30 Apr. 2024 While some area events are self-explanatory – Plaza Art Fair and Kansas City Airshow, for example. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024 The company’s female models, the Stellas, come in three versions: the Abigail, for housework; the Nanny, for child care; and the Cuddle Bunny, for self-explanatory purposes. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024 Object Removal is also fairly self-explanatory: The example here is removing anachronistic items accidentally captured on film in a period piece (like Starbucks on Game of Thrones). Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 15 Apr. 2024 The name is self-explanatory: Go to Doi Moi restaurant on 14th Street NW, and go downstairs. Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024 Stock up on sunscreen This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024 Southwest's birthday is pretty self-explanatory, while Halloween is associated with a longstanding Southwest tradition — both corporate staffers and flight crew dress up for the holiday and have since the 1970s. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 Fallston’s rebound belt is self-explanatory, awarded objectively to the team’s top rebounder(s). Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-explanatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-explanatory was in 1737

Dictionary Entries Near self-explanatory

Cite this Entry

“Self-explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-explanatory. Accessed 20 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-explanatory

adjective
self-ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry
ˌsel-fik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē,
-ˌtȯr-
: understandable without explanation

More from Merriam-Webster on self-explanatory

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