self-care

noun

ˌself-ˈker 

: care for oneself

stroke victims capable of daily self-care

the necessity of busy working parents to take time for self-care

specifically : health care provided by oneself often without the consultation of a medical professional

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are a common route for self-care, and consumers are eagerly using them …

—Alison Stein Wellner

—sometimes used before another noun

At-home screening is one side of the burgeoning self-care movement …

—Stephen Rae

Examples of self-care in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Royal experts have praised Kate’s ability to balance family life, self-care, and her royal duties. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025

Engage in self-care practices: take walks, spend time in nature, try crafts, journal, or meditate. —Sophie Okolo, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Schedule respite for yourself: Build in time for self-care time, and don't hesitate to ask friends, family, or professional caregivers to take a shift and give you time off. —Nancy Lebrun, People.com, 8 July 2025

This panel will elevate Black women's health as essential self-care. —Essence, 6 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-care

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Medical Definition

self-care

noun

-ˈke(ə)r 

: care for oneself : self-treatment