himself

American  

[him-self, im-self] / hɪmˈsɛlf, ɪmˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. an emphatic appositive of him or he.

   He himself spoke to the men.

2. a reflexive form of him.

   He cut himself.

3. (used in absolute constructions).

   Himself the soul of honor, he included many rascals among his intimates.

4. (used as the object of a preposition or as the direct or indirect object of a verb).

   The old car had room only for himself and three others.

5. (used in comparisons after as orthan ).

   His wife is as stingy as himself.

6. his normal or customary self.

   He is himself again.

7. Irish English. a man of importance, especially the master of the house.

   Himself will be wanting an early dinner.

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himself British  

/ ɪmˈsɛlf, hɪmˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of he or him

   2. (intensifier)

      the king himself waved to me

2. (preceded by a copula) his normal or usual self

   he seems himself once more

3. the man of the house

   how is himself?

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Usage

See myself.

Etymology

Origin of himself

before 900; Middle English him selven, Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self he himself; see him, self

Example Sentences

Himself the L.A.-born son of immigrants, the guitarist went on to perform with Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys, among others, and to record with Lady Gaga and Bonnie Raitt.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2025

Appeared in the May 31, 2025, print edition as 'Racing Against Himself'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2025

"Pee-wee as Himself" is screening now at the Sundance Film Festival and will be available to stream on Max later this year.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2025

Himself a former Boeing whistleblower, he has spent years lobbying regulators to take a firm approach to the company.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2024

How could God Himself show truth and love at the same time in a world like this?

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom