self-contained
self-contained — adjective
1. describing an object, system, or unit that includes all the parts it needs to fu
describing an object, system, or unit that includes all the parts it needs to function by itself, without connecting to anything outside
The emergency shelter is a self-contained unit with solar panels and a water tank.
predicative: is + a self-contained unit
Developers are building self-contained apartments where each home has its own kitchen and laundry.
attributive: self-contained + apartments
Wei packed a self-contained camping stove that runs on a small gas canister.
A self-contained breathing apparatus helped the firefighters rescue two children from the burning house.
The village became self-contained after installing its own solar farm and water treatment plant.
- independent
broader — can describe countries, finances, or opinions, not just physical units
- self-sufficient
emphasises ability to cover one's own needs (food, energy, resources) rather than being a complete pre-assembled unit
- integrated
focuses on parts fitting together into a whole; does not imply freedom from external connections
- dependent
relies on external things to function
- interconnected
parts rely on each other and on outside systems
文法句型
self-contained + noun
be + self-contained
用法筆記
Typically applies to physical objects such as 'unit', 'apartment', 'system', or 'equipment' — nouns that describe something which works without external connections. Distinguish from sense 2 (EMOTIONALLY INDEPENDENT), which describes a person's personality rather than a physical thing.
2. describing someone who meets their own emotional and practical needs without rel
describing someone who meets their own emotional and practical needs without relying on other people, and is comfortable spending time alone
Oluchi is a self-contained person who rarely asks anyone for help with her problems.
Diego has always been self-contained, happy to spend weekends alone in his garden.
predicative: has been + self-contained
The new student seemed quiet and self-contained, reading alone in the library every lunchtime.
Ingrid's self-contained nature means she never complains to colleagues about her personal life.
Tariq is so self-contained that his neighbours did not know he had been in the hospital for a week.
- independent
broader — can also describe financial, political, or practical independence
- self-reliant
more active — emphasises solving problems on one's own rather than being peaceful alone
- reserved
more about not sharing feelings than about not needing others
- needy
excessively dependent on others for emotional support
- gregarious
enjoys being with other people and seeks their company
文法句型
self-contained + noun
be/seem/become + self-contained
用法筆記
Unlike 'shy' (driven by social anxiety), this sense marks a stable personality trait — a self-contained person is simply untroubled by being alone. Compare with 'introverted' (drained by social interaction), where a self-contained person may still enjoy company but does not depend on it emotionally.