selfie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "selfie" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a self-portrait photograph typically taken with a smartphone or camera, often shared on social media. Example: "She took a selfie at the beach to capture the beautiful sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just as I underestimated the sheer hard work involved in writing funny election columns, Cameron clearly thought being prime minister would be a lark, a breeze, and a wizard wheeze, something to chalk up on his business-class bucket list, along with getting a selfie with Helle Thorning-Schmidt and sucking the bass player from Blur's luxury cheese direct from the goat's teat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Take a photo, a selfie, a selfie with the bag on and the bag off".

The Guardian - Film

Samantha Steele described it as the "ultimate selfie", while Anna Heaford joked: "The stripper had just arrived for nicolab13 hen do..! #EdMiliband".

The Guardian

No matter how famous you are, it appears, few can resist the appeal of the selfie.

The Guardian

He resolved to score and take a selfie in front of the Stadio Olimpico's Curva Sud, capturing the jubilation of Roma's supporters behind him.

The Guardian - Sport

It was, undeniably, a ground-breaking image, the first time that a Serie A player has taken a celebratory selfie – and that lack of past precedent might also explain how he escaped a booking.

The Guardian - Sport

"Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! #sheevensmiled #amazing" "It's a very competitive division.

The Guardian - Sport

Second, Kanye West replied to this selfie by suggesting that he would imminently have sexual intercourse with her.

The Guardian - Tech

Duckface if you know what a selfie is, you should also know what duckface is.

The Guardian - Tech

Holly Spiers, director of fundraising at Sue Ryder, said in response to the findings: "The ice bucket challenge and no-make up selfie campaigns have clearly shown that digital can drive a huge increase in donations.

The Guardian

And for me to spend the first two days quietly judging all the Chinese and Japanese couples with their selfie sticks, and then the next four days coming to terms with the deeper truth that I really longed to buy one myself, because then I could have taken endless pictures of us together with the romantic view behind us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use hashtags appropriately when sharing a "selfie" on social media to increase visibility.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of filters that distort your natural appearance in "selfies". Authenticity is often valued more than artificial perfection.

Linguistic Context

The word "selfie" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a self-portrait photograph. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from casual social media posts to news articles. It can also function as a verb, meaning to take such a photograph.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Tech

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Arts

3%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "selfie", defined as a self-portrait photograph, has become incredibly common, as demonstrated by the numerous examples available through Ludwig. Functioning primarily as a noun, but also as a verb, it’s used across various contexts, from social media to news media. Ludwig AI validates its correct grammatical standing. While generally informal, its usage can adapt to different registers depending on the situation. The phrase, according to Ludwig, has been selected as word of the year and it is proof of its cultural impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

photo of oneself

A literal and descriptive alternative.

self-portrait photograph

More formal and descriptive.

self-taken picture

Highlights the action of taking the picture.

digital self-image

Focuses on the digital aspect and self-representation.

mobile phone self-shot

Highlights the device used.

camera self-capture

Emphasizes the act of capturing an image of oneself.

quick self-snap

Emphasizes the speed and informality of the photo.

personal photograph

A broader term that includes photos taken by others.

social media profile picture

Focuses on the use case within social media.

online avatar

Represents the user in a virtual environment.

FAQs

How do you use "selfie" in a sentence?

You can use "selfie" as a noun, such as, "She took a "selfie" with the celebrity". It can also be used as a verb, like "I "selfied" at the concert".

What are some alternatives to using the word "selfie"?

Depending on the context, you could use "self-portrait", "self-taken picture", or "photo of oneself" as alternatives to "selfie".

Is it appropriate to take a "selfie" at a formal event?

It depends on the event and the cultural norms. Consider the setting and whether taking a "selfie" would be respectful and appropriate. Some formal events may discourage or prohibit it.

What is a "belfie", "helfie", or "welfie"?

These are specialized types of "selfies": a "belfie" is a butt "selfie", a "helfie" is a hair "selfie", and a "welfie" is a workout "selfie".