A selfie is a photograph that you take of yourself, usually with a smartphone or camera held at arm's length. The word combines “self” with the snapshot suffix “-ie,” reflecting how casual and friendly these photos tend to be.

Before smartphones had front-facing cameras, taking a selfie meant holding your phone backward and guessing where to point it, often resulting in photos that cut off half your face. Modern phones make it much easier: you can see yourself on the screen as you snap the picture. People take selfies alone, with friends, or even with famous landmarks in the background (those Eiffel Tower selfies!).

While selfies might seem like a modern invention, people have been taking self-portraits for centuries. When photography was invented in the 1800s, photographers pointed cameras at themselves using timers and mirrors. What's different now is how quick and casual it is: you can take a selfie and share it with friends in seconds.

Some people extend the concept playfully: you might take an usie (a selfie with someone else). Whether you're documenting a new haircut, a fun moment with friends, or just feeling confident, a selfie captures that instant from your own point of view.