self-identify

verb

self-iden·​ti·​fy ˌself-ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce self-identify (audio)
-ə-ˈden-
self-identified; self-identifying; self-identifies

intransitive

: identify sense intransitive 2

Examples of self-identify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
ProPublica reporter Audrey Dutton obtained coroner and law enforcement records for deaths of children whose parents self-identified as refusing medical care for religious reasons. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 Music streaming giant Spotify will soon introduce an AI Persona badge on profiles of artists that have been flagged, or self-identified, as not human. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 As a result, organizations wait for employees to self-identify. — Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The climbers self-identified on social media as Russian couple Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-identify

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-identify was in 1969

Rhymes for self-identify

See All Rhymes for self-identify

Browse Nearby Words

self-identification
self-identify
self-identity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-identify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-identify. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of conscientious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All