You can describe someone or something as self-contained when they are complete and separate and do not need help or resources from outside.
He seems completely self-contained and he doesn't miss you when you're not there.
...self-contained economic blocs.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Self-contained accommodation such as a flat has all its own facilities, so that a person living there does not have to share rooms such as a kitchen or bathroom with other people.
More Synonyms of self-contained
self-contained in British English
adjective
1.
containing within itself all parts necessary for completeness
2.
(of a flat) having its own kitchen, bathroom, and lavatory not shared by others and usually having its own entrance
3.
able or tending to keep one's feelings, thoughts, etc, to oneself; reserved
4.
able to control one's feelings or emotions in the presence of others
Derived forms
self-containedly (ˌself-conˈtainedly)
adverb
self-containedness (ˌself-conˈtainedness)
noun
self-contained in American English
(ˈsɛlfkənˈteɪnd)
adjective
1.
keeping one's affairs to oneself; reserved
2.
showing self-command or self-control
3.
having all working parts, complete with motive power, in an enclosed unit
said of machinery
4.
having within oneself or itself all that is necessary; self-sufficient, as a community
Derived forms
self-containment (ˈself-conˈtainment)
noun
Examples of 'self-contained' in a sentence
self-contained
There is also a really small self-contained flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is split into nine self-contained apartments and multiple play areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The boat becomes a self-contained world with its own rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has six bedrooms in its main section and a further three in the adjoining self-contained wing.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Whether a new annexe amounts to a self-contained unit depends on the facts of each case.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He suspected that the property might include a self-contained annexe and he wanted to see it.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The villa comes with two self-contained apartments and is just under two miles from the beach and shops.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In our health clubs we have self-contained shower units offering women complete privacy to wash and get changed.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He has also converted the old brick shed into a self-contained unit with a kitchen and shower room.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One wing is a self-contained house.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To the left of the library there are two small downstairs bedrooms and a kitchen that will make up a self-contained annexe when finished.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You could run a business from there, or turn it into a self-contained flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They want self-contained flats and don't want to share a bathroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The other circus performers are like family to us, but we all live in self-contained worlds.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are nine bedrooms on the first floor, one within a large self-contained annexe.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has four receptions, a garage and a self-contained flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was a self-contained world, she says.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That was not the commonplace series of references to other pages, but a complete self-contained digest of the main spot news of the day.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The two upper floors contain five en suite bedrooms, then a self-contained guest apartment on two floors with its own reception rooms and four bedrooms.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
self-contained
British English: self-contained /ˈsɛlfˌkənˈteɪnd/ ADJECTIVE
You can describe someone as self-contained when they do not need help or resources from other people.