self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp 

 Southern also  ˈhep

: the action or process of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without the aid of others

especially : the coping with one's personal or emotional problems without professional help

self-help adjective

Examples of self-help in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Group therapy and self-help apps that focus on specific conditions are examples that have proven to be highly effective in the right circumstances but are often overlooked as options. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Many self-help posts on social media also serve up simple solutions to complex problems. —Kara Alaimo, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024

Fuel Your Future With Purposeful Rest Continuous improvement doesn’t always require binging self-help books and podcasts. —Stephanie Davis, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Shortly after Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, a raft of self-help books and articles appeared, written by students of post-Soviet society. —Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp

: the act of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without aid of others

Legal Definition

self-help

noun

ˈself-ˈhelp

: the act of redressing or preventing a wrong by one's own actions rather than through legal proceedings

Note: The Uniform Commercial Code permits creditors to repossess collateral by self-help if it can be done without a breach of the peace.