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

The self-help expert’s guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones via tiny changes in behavior. —The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025

In his memoir/self-help book Catching the Big Fish, Lynch called out directors who trick actors into a Method performance. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025

Read: The new empress of self-help is a TikTok star Not long ago in American culture, vulnerability was largely associated with weakness. —Maytal Eyal, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025

The author steers away from addressing self-help options for ameliorating the living conditions of Black Americans. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025

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.