self-taught

[ self-tawt ]

adjective

1. having become as specified by teaching oneself, without the aid of formal education:

   She’s a self-taught photographer who sells her work online.

2. learned by oneself:

   Particularly impressive is his self-taught mastery of the guitar.

self-taught

adjective

1. having learnt oneself without any external or formal instruction

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-taught¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

Zeldovich describes d’Hérelle as self-taught and adventurous, if a bit abrasive.

From Salon

The self-taught British composer David Wise, with valuable contributions from Robin Beanland and Eveline Fischer, had managed to coax a richer variety of sounds than had ever emanated from a game console.

From New York Times

Her self-taught and intuitive design method remains sought after beyond her home base of L.A., and we’ll be watching to see where her scissors take her next.

From Los Angeles Times

The 23-year-old self-taught classical pianist only started playing the instrument aged 13 and, before he turned to music, he was football-mad.

From BBC

A self-taught musician, Santaolalla doesn’t read or write music, but relies instead on a brilliant instinct for generating soulful melodies, and his eccentric tendency to employ all sorts of household objects and rare instruments to create texture and sound.

From Los Angeles Times