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What is the origin of selfie?
The first-known appearance of selfie in written form occurred in 2002 on an Australian news website, but the word didn't see much use until 2012. By November 2013, selfie was appearing frequently enough in print and electronic media that Oxford Dictionaries (publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary as well as other dictionaries) chose the word as its Word of the Year. This announcement itself led to a significant increase in the use of the word by news organizations, an increase that was further boosted following the December 2013 memorial service for Nelson Mandela, at which American President Barack Obama was caught taking a selfie with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and British Prime Minister David Cameron. The word selfie, with its suggestions of self-centeredness and self-involvement, was particularly popular with critics who saw this moment as a reflection of the President's character.
Examples of selfie in a Sentence
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
To take a ballot selfie or not to take a ballot selfie, that's a million-dollar Election Day question.
—Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
The trio posed for rare selfies with Swift, 34, backstage at the show, as well as snapping a further selfie with the pop superstar’s boyfriend Travis Kelce, which Swift later shared on her Instagram.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Taking selfies with fans in front of the theatre, he can be seen wearing a vintage Cartier Baignoire timepiece from 1970s in yellow gold with a black strap.
—Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for selfie 
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Cite this Entry
“Selfie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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