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self-service
/ˌsɛlf ˈsɜːrvɪs/
system allowing customers to serve themselves
The restaurant offers self-service kiosks for ordering food.
Customers can place their own orders without staff assistance.
Business
formal
A system where customers perform services for themselves without direct assistance from staff.
Self-service checkouts are common in modern supermarkets.
Customers scan and pay for items without cashier help.
Common in retail, hospitality, and banking sectors.
Technology
technical
A method of providing services through automated systems, reducing human interaction.
Online banking platforms use self-service portals for account management.
Users can check balances and transfer funds independently.
Increasingly used in digital services and AI-driven platforms.
Collocations
self-service checkoutautomated checkout system in storesself-service kioskinteractive machine for customer use
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Business
Self-service models reduce labor costs but may require user-friendly interfaces.
Gold Rule
Customer Experience
Effective self-service systems balance convenience with user support.
Word Origin
From 'self' (independent) + 'service' (assistance), popularized in the 20th century with automation.
Usage Notes
Common in retail, banking, and digital platforms. Often implies efficiency and cost reduction.
Word Breakdown
self
independent, without external help
prefixservice
assistance or functionality provided
rootEnglish Dictionary