Phrase guide

fend for oneself

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To take care of oneself without help.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • After her mother passed away, she had to learn to fend for herself.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: دبّر حاله لحاله — to take care of oneself without help
  • Arabic: تدبّر أمره بنسفه — to take care of oneself without help
  • Dutch: zijn eigen boontjes doppen — to take care of oneself without help
  • Finnish: huolehtia itsestään — to take care of oneself without help
  • Finnish: pitää huolta itsestään — to take care of oneself without help
  • German: für sich selbst sorgen — to take care of oneself without help
  • Polish: radzić sobie — to take care of oneself without help
  • Polish: poradzić sobie — to take care of oneself without help
  • Spanish: buscarse la vida — to take care of oneself without help