self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient ˌself-sə-ˈfi-shənt 

1

: able to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid : capable of providing for one's own needs

a self-sufficient farm

2

: having an extreme confidence in one's own ability or worth : haughty, overbearing

Synonyms

• independent
• self-dependent
• self-reliant
• self-subsistent
• self-subsisting
• self-supported
• self-supporting
• self-sustained
• self-sustaining

Examples of self-sufficient in a Sentence

the college student worked nights so that he would be self-sufficient

Recent Examples on the Web

Team members need to be self-sufficient enough to work with minimal supervision yet collaborative enough to contribute to the larger team dynamic. —Bhanu Jagasia, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

This is a great long-term investment for a more stable, self-sufficient world. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

There is a false sense that the trees and shrubs are more self-sufficient. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 28 Dec. 2024

The key is that gentle parenting is not about abdicating all responsibility but gradually empowering the child to become self-sufficient. —Alex Vance, Parents, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

self-sufficient

adjective

self-suf·​fi·​cient

ˌself-sə-ˈfish-ənt

: able to take care of oneself without outside help : independent