DIY
DIY (adj) means Made or done by yourself, without hiring a professional. Example: “They tackled the kitchen renovation as a DIY project over the summer.”
How to use DIY
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing a job — often home improvement — yourself instead of paying someone else to do it.
Word forms
more DIY comparative, DIYed past tense, DIYs singular, most DIY superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They tackled the kitchen renovation as a _____ project over the summer.
Etymology
An initialism of "do it yourself".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “DIY” mean?
The word “DIY” means made or done by yourself, without hiring a professional. In plain terms, doing a job — often home improvement — yourself instead of paying someone else to do it.
How do you pronounce “DIY”?
“DIY” is pronounced dee-eye-WEYE (/ˌdi.aɪˈwaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “DIY” in a sentence?
Here is “DIY” used in a sentence: “They tackled the kitchen renovation as a DIY project over the summer.”
What part of speech is “DIY”?
Depending on how it is used, “DIY” can be an adjective and a verb.
Is “DIY” a common word?
“DIY” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “DIY” have?
“DIY” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made or done by yourself, without hiring a professional.
What does the abbreviation DIY stand for, and is it always written in capital letters?
DIY refers to something made or done by yourself without hiring a professional. It is conventionally written in all capital letters as an abbreviation, though it appears in everyday informal writing, such as "a DIY project."
What is the difference between a DIY project and hiring a contractor?
A DIY project is done by the homeowner or individual themselves, without professional help, while hiring a contractor means paying a trained professional to complete the task. DIY can save money but shifts the skill, time, and risk of the work onto the person doing it.
Can "DIY" be used as a verb as well as an adjective?
Yes. As an adjective, DIY describes something made or done by yourself, as in "a DIY shelf." It also functions as a verb meaning to do a task yourself that would normally be handled by a hired professional, as in "to DIY a renovation."
Is DIY formal or informal language?
DIY is informal and conversational, commonly used in everyday speech, advertising, and home-improvement media rather than in formal or technical writing.