noun
Uncommon
selfie
SEHL-fee
Selfie (noun) means a photograph someone takes of themselves, typically with a phone held at arm's length. Example: “They took a selfie in front of the waterfall.”
noun
1
A photograph someone takes of themselves, typically with a phone held at arm's length.
"They took a selfie in front of the waterfall."
"His profile picture is a blurry selfie from a concert."
"Can you take a selfie of us with the castle behind?"
How to use selfie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA self-taken photo, usually on a phone.
Common pairings
take a selfie
selfie stick
group selfie
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Word forms
- Plural
- selfies
- Third person singular
- selfies
- Past tense
- selfied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They took a _____ in front of the waterfall.
Etymology
Formed from self plus the informal -ie ending; first recorded in Australian English in 2002.
Synonyms
View more →
self-portrait
selfy
Related words
Rhymes for selfie
See all rhymes for selfie →Frequently asked questions
What does “selfie” mean?
The word “selfie” means a photograph someone takes of themselves, typically with a phone held at arm's length. In plain terms, a self-taken photo, usually on a phone.
How do you pronounce “selfie”?
“Selfie” is pronounced SEHL-fee (/ˈsɛlfi/ in IPA).
How do you use “selfie” in a sentence?
Here is “selfie” used in a sentence: “They took a selfie in front of the waterfall.”
What part of speech is “selfie”?
“Selfie” is a noun.
Where does the word “selfie” come from?
The word “selfie” dates back to around 2002. Formed from self plus the informal -ie ending; first recorded in Australian English in 2002.
Is “selfie” a common word?
“Selfie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a selfie and a regular photo?
A selfie is specifically a photo someone takes of themselves, usually with a phone held at arm's length or using a front-facing camera. A regular photo can be of anyone or anything and is typically taken by another person or with a camera pointed away from the photographer.
Is 'selfie' used as a verb?
No, 'selfie' is a noun. People say 'take a selfie' rather than turning it into a verb like 'to selfie,' though informal usage occasionally bends this rule.
What is a 'selfie stick' used for?
A selfie stick is an extendable pole that holds a phone farther away than an arm's reach, letting the photographer fit more background or more people into the selfie.
