self-support: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “self-support” mean?
The ability to maintain oneself financially or independently without external assistance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ability to maintain oneself financially or independently without external assistance.
Can refer to emotional or psychological independence, or in technical contexts, a structure that supports itself without additional props.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use the term similarly with no significant spelling variations. Contextual usage may vary slightly.
Connotations
In American English, slightly more associated with business and entrepreneurship; in British English, perhaps more with social welfare or personal finance contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to cultural emphasis on individualism, but common in both varieties in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “self-support” in a Sentence
self-support through employmentself-support in adulthoodself-support without external aidVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-support” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After university, she decided to self-support by taking on multiple part-time jobs.
- They aim to self-support through savings and investments.
American English
- After college, he learned to self-support by freelancing in his field.
- The startup plans to self-support within two years of operation.
adverb
British English
- He managed his finances self-supportingly after the redundancy.
- She lived self-supportingly while studying abroad.
American English
- They operated the business self-supportingly from the garage.
- He budgeted self-supportingly after moving out.
adjective
British English
- The community project became self-supporting after securing local sponsorships.
- She is proud of her self-supporting lifestyle in London.
American English
- The non-profit organization is now self-supporting due to increased donations.
- He maintains a self-supporting household in New York City.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a company's ability to operate profitably without external funding or subsidies.
Academic
Used in economics and sociology to discuss individuals' or groups' financial independence and its social implications.
Everyday
Describes a person's capability to pay their own bills, manage expenses, and live independently from family or government support.
Technical
In engineering or architecture, refers to a structure that is designed to support its own weight without additional external supports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-support”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-support”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-support”
- Using 'self-support' as a verb without proper conjugation, e.g., 'He self-supports' instead of 'He is self-supporting'.
- Overextending to non-financial contexts without clear indication, leading to ambiguity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a noun; the verb form is rare and often considered non-standard, with 'self-supporting' being the preferred adjective.
Yes, in technical or business contexts, it can refer to organizations, systems, or structures that operate independently without external support.
'Self-support' often emphasizes financial or practical independence, while 'self-sufficiency' can include broader aspects like producing one's own food or resources.
Use it as a noun, e.g., 'Her self-support was admirable after she started her own business.' Avoid using it as a verb; instead, use phrases like 'achieve self-support' or 'be self-supporting'.
The ability to maintain oneself financially or independently without external assistance.
Self-support is usually formal to neutral in register.
Self-support: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself səˈpɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself səˈpɔrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stand on one's own two feet”
- “make one's own way”
- “pull oneself up by one's bootstraps”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'self' + 'support' – imagine supporting yourself like a tree that stands on its own roots.
Conceptual Metaphor
Independence as a solid foundation; self-support is the pillar of personal or organizational stability.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'self-support' in most contexts?