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

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

The rapper self-directed the clip, which sees the pair vacationing in the woods. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2023

Some were homeschooled or come from alternative educational backgrounds that led them to be self-directed in their schooling. —Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a