self-discovery
Americannoun
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the act or process of coming to recognize and understand one’s own assumptions, priorities, behavior, strengths and weaknesses, etc..
College is a time of self-discovery and formation for students.
Decades of suffering and years of therapy culminated in this emotional moment of self-discovery and forgiveness.
Etymology
Origin of self-discovery
First recorded in 1640–50
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.
Taking care of one’s vehicle was more than a dreary obligation, Muir’s book advised; it could be a route to self-discovery as well.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025
So by the end of the documentary, which has many comical moments, we see it has been something of a realistic journey of self-discovery for all of the men, including Hao.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2025
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, is wrapping up his three-album journey of self-discovery and annihilation with the release of his sixth studio album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow."
From Salon • Feb. 22, 2025
“I’ve been on this journey of self-discovery and trying to actually love myself and trying to actually be OK with who I am.”
From Slate • Dec. 17, 2024
The exploration of the Cosmos is a voyage of self-discovery.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.