self-service

[self-sur-vis] / ˈsɛlfˈsɜr vɪs /

NOUN

ability to serve oneself

Synonyms

STRONG

buffet smorgasbord

WEAK

self-serve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Use certified mail, registered mail, or an approved private delivery service like FedEx or UPS, not labels from self-service kiosks or postage meters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

These are the offices of Evoke Creative, which makes self-service terminals, the sort of things you see popping up everywhere from McDonald's to your local library.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

“But it is still early days as self-service launched only in late 2025.”

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

A total of 90% of the calls are now resolved by self-service options or callbacks.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

After visiting san bernardino and seeing the long fines at McDonald’s, Carl Karcher went home to Anaheim and decided to open his own self-service restaurant.

From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser