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 One of the pieces housed at the National Portrait Gallery is a self-portrait quilt from 1998, which features a series of images representing Ringgold’s childhood in Harlem. Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2024 Leos Carax will get a Cannes Premiere screening for his latest, C’est Pas Moi, a free-form self-portrait of the life and work of the Holy Motors and Annette director. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024 Over the years, the walls have been filled in with self-portraits, drawing of characters from various shows and even messages responding to notes left years prior. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024 The self-portrait that emerges is one of relentless work: booze-free nights studying other songwriters at the Bluebird Cafe, building a company to pitch songs to stars, a writing practice that bordered on the sacred. Grayson Haver Currin, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024 Finally, the mirror: Bonnard’s justly celebrated (because so unflinching) self-portraits. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 The lineup includes a folky heart, a Saturn Returns, a traditional quilt pattern, a cardinal and a self-portrait of the singer herself. Anna Tingley, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024 Banco de México Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust The combination of these elements in Gutiérrez’s feature film directorial debut results in a refreshing narrative that is as introspective as Kahlo’s paintings, most of which are self-portraits. Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024 The landscapes hang across from a smaller self-portrait, and all are executed in a neoclassical mode. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 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 24 Apr. 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!