self-portrait

noun

self-por·​trait ˌself-ˈpȯr-trət How to pronounce self-portrait (audio)
-ˌtrāt
: a portrait of oneself done by oneself

Examples of self-portrait in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The artwork featured a drawing of the mom of two and a self-portrait of Stormi. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 In the self-portrait series, Ahn sat on roof corners and building ledges, sometimes showing her whole body perched on the edge; in others, just her legs and feet are visible above the straight vertical drop below. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Also hanging on the wall: a drawing that Serra gave her on her 70th birthday, a self-portrait of himself — styled after Picasso, no less. Susan Dominus Emiliano Granado, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Most feature self-portraits, often accompanied by Shaw’s late Jack Russell terrier, Mr. C, or by an alter ego (a wolf-man wearing a blue kimono). Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 On the cover is a self-portrait of Wolfe looking possessed, with slots of empty white where her pupils should be. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 Ranging from a wall-size self-portrait in a spiky, silver wig to tiny images of fellow artists such as Donald Judd, they are instantly absorbed like sugary, empty calories. Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 One of Keltner’s experiments directed people to create self-portraits while looking at either Yosemite Valley or San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2024 One of his experiments had people create self-portraits while looking at either Yosemite Valley or San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Julia Carmel, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-portrait.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-portrait was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near self-portrait

Cite this Entry

“Self-portrait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-portrait. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-portrait

noun
self-por·​trait
ˈself-ˈpōr-trət,
-ˈpȯr-,
-ˌtrāt
: a portrait of oneself made by oneself

More from Merriam-Webster on self-portrait

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!