DIY
/ˌdi.aɪˈwaɪ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: DIYs · DIYing · DIY-ing · DIYed
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To perform oneself a task usually relegated to an expert.
Verb
Examples
2007 [publication date], Maggie Bullock, "Home Improvement", Elle, January 2008 ed., page 108,
Huber was a physicist. Even top Estée Lauder chemists who took over for Huber in 1995 found that... any attempt to cheat on his original formula produced disappointing results, which demands the question:
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Do-it-yourself.
Adjective
Examples
Do you know where I could find a DIY pipe repair kit?
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “DIY” mean?
To perform oneself a task usually relegated to an expert.
Is “DIY” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.