self-direct

verb

self-di·​rect ˌself-də-ˈrekt 

-dī-

self-directed; self-directing; self-directs

1

a

transitive : to direct or manage (something, such as one's work, study, or investments) for or by oneself

… the author discusses the basic elements and benefits of self-directing your retirement funds.

—Mark J. Kohler

… allowing her children to self-direct their education, letting them decide what to learn based on their interests.

—Katrina J. E. Milton

b

intransitive : to direct or guide oneself : to make choices for or by oneself

Something magical happens by letting kids self-direct. They're happy and moving and healthy.

—Grant Segall

2

transitive + intransitive : to serve as the director of something (such as a play) in which one also performs

… decided to self-direct two one-act plays in lieu of the fall musical.

—The Colchester (Vermont) Sun

With their new company, they are also able to self-direct and produce.

—Nicole S. Colson

self-directing

ˌself-də-ˈrek-tiŋ 

-dī-

adjective

self-directing investors

The purpose of 4-H is to help youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive members of society.

—Northern Wyoming Daily News

self-direction

ˌself-də-ˈrek-shən 

-dī-

noun

Creating jobs that allow for self-direction, for independent thought and judgment, can make people more supportive and flexible at home.

—Adam Grant

Examples of self-direct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With the technology becoming more advanced, 2025 is likely to bring even more AI options for those wanting to self-direct their wealth. —Jaime Catmull, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

The hope is their efforts drive TikTok users back to the cable network, but much of their work is self-directed, and not coordinated centrally by Fox News producers. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Tasks feel imposed rather than self-directed, diminishing a sense of autonomy that fuels intrinsic motivation. —Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Create programs that are self-directed so the HiPo isn’t waiting for someone else to develop them. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Renting a boat is another option for visitors who want their day to be more self-directed. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 24 June 2024

Unlike other psychedelics that are paired with therapy, though, the ibogaine trip itself is essentially internal and self-directed. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2024

With a free flow of critical information, our people can better self-direct their work toward communally beneficial outcomes. —Anni Hallila, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2023

With the rise of streaming came more opportunities for listening that, if not entirely self-directed, was at least less gate-kept than shrinking and increasingly throwback-centric radio playlists. —Maura Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a