self-directed

adjective

self-di·​rect·​ed ˌself-də-ˈrek-təd How to pronounce self-directed (audio)
-dī-
Synonyms of self-directednext
1
: directed for or by oneself
self-directed retirement plans
self-directed classroom activities
a self-directed performance
2
: directed at oneself
self-directed anger
3
: directing oneself or capable of directing oneself
empowering students to become self-directed learners

Examples of self-directed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But that change needs to be self-directed, coming from within each individual. — Goth Shakira contributing, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 Trade The Pool aims to help people become more financially capable and self-directed. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026 Life feels self-directed rather than dictated by external pressure or comparison. — Larae Quy, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026 The group is entirely self-directed, and participants are encouraged to bring their own tools and materials. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-directed

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-directed was in 1742

Rhymes for self-directed

See All Rhymes for self-directed

Browse Nearby Words

self-direct
self-directed
self-direction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-directed. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

self-directed

adjective
self-di·​rect·​ed
ˌself-də-ˈrek-təd, 
-dī-
: directed by oneself and not by an outside force or agency
a self-directed personality

More from Merriam-Webster on self-directed

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for self-directed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All