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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."

How to use selfie

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA self-taken photo, usually on a phone.

Common pairings
take a selfie selfie stick group selfie

Word forms

selfied past tense, selfies plural, selfies singular

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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.

· First attested 2002

Class of 2002 selfie joined the language around 2002.
See the full Class of 2002 →
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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial