Pronunciation: [sˈɛlfi] (IPA) 
The word "selfie" is derived from "self-portrait" and describes a photo taken of oneself. It is spelled with a "s" sound at the beginning, as in "sun" /sʌn/, followed by "elf" /ɛlf/, and ends with "ee" /iː/. The letter "f" is used instead of "ph" to represent the "f" sound. The word became popular with the rise of social media and is often used to describe photos taken with a mobile device held at arm's length or in a mirror.
A "selfie" is a noun referring to a self-portrait photograph taken by an individual, typically using a smartphone, held at arm's length or with the help of a selfie stick. The term gained popularity in the early 21st century with the rise of social media platforms and the widespread availability of front-facing cameras on mobile devices.
A selfie usually focuses on the face or faces of the subjects and is often intended to capture a specific moment, mood, or expression. Selfies can be taken individually or in a group, usually with the photographer included in the frame. They are often shared on various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook.
Selfies have become a prominent aspect of modern popular culture, often serving as a means of self-expression, documenting personal experiences, or simply as a form of entertainment. They can be edited and enhanced using various filters, effects, or editing tools provided by photography applications or software.
While selfies can be seen as a form of self-promotion and self-obsession, they have also been used to raise awareness for various social causes, promote body positivity, and foster connections among individuals globally.
Overall, the term "selfie" encapsulates the act of taking and sharing a self-portrait photograph, serving as a representation of the modern era's fascination with self-documentation and visual self-expression.
The word "selfie" is a relatively new addition to the English language, and its etymology can be traced back to the early 21st century. The term "selfie" was coined in 2002 by an Australian man named Nathan Hope, who used it on an online forum in reference to a self-portrait photograph he had taken of himself. The term gained popularity slowly over the following years but received a significant boost in usage with the rise of social media platforms, particularly with the advent of smartphones equipped with front-facing cameras. The word is derived from the pronoun "self", indicating oneself, and the suffix "-ie", which is often used to denote a small or diminutive size or familiarity (such as in words like "doggy" or "kiddie"). Thus, "selfie" refers to a small self-portrait photograph taken by oneself.
