self-improvement
4 synonyms for self-improvement, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The effort to make yourself better through your own initiative, by building skills, habits, health, knowledge or character.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use self-improvement
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
self-improvement journey
self-improvement book
committed to self-improvement
Neutral, though heavy use can sound like marketing; personal development is the more corporate synonym.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between self-improvement and self-care?
Self-improvement is about becoming better at something or changing who you are, and it usually demands effort. Self-care is about maintaining your wellbeing and often means resting or easing off rather than pushing harder.
Is self-improvement the same as self-help?
Self-improvement is the activity; self-help is mainly the genre and industry built around it. You practise self-improvement, and you read self-help.
Is self-improvement hyphenated?
Yes. Self- compounds take a hyphen in standard English, so self-improvement is correct and selfimprovement is not.
