yourself

[ yoor-self, yawr-, yohr-, yer- ]

pronoun

, plural your·selves [y, oo, r-, selvz, yawr-, yohr-, yer-].

1. (an emphatic appositive of you or ye ¹ ):

   a letter you yourself wrote.

2. a reflexive form of you (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition):

   Don't blame yourself. Did you ever ask yourself “why”? You can think for yourself.

3. Informal. (used in place of you, especially in compound subjects, objects, and complements):

   Ted and yourself have been elected. We saw your sister and yourself at the game. People like yourselves always feel like that.

4. (used in absolute constructions):

   Yourself having so little money, how could they expect you to help?

5. your normal or customary self:

   You'll soon be yourself again.

6. (used in place of you after as, than, or but ):

   scholars as famous as yourselves; a girl no older than yourself.

7. oneself:

   The surest way is to do it yourself.

yourself

/ jɔːˈsɛlf; jʊə- /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of you
   2. (intensifier)

      you yourself control your destiny

2. preceded by a copula your normal or usual self

   you're not yourself these days

Usage Note

See myself.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yourself¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; your, self

Example Sentences

Between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.

From The Daily Beast

With Vice, that was an example of you keeping yourself interested too, right?

From The Daily Beast

Being there teaches you to think quickly, edit yourself, and not get too precious about your own work.

From The Daily Beast

To judge her acting abilities for yourself, check out her videos on YouTube for “Sex Shooter.”

From The Daily Beast

Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.

From The Daily Beast

Terror drives you on; fate coerces you; you can't help yourself, and my delight is to make the plunge terrible.

From Project Gutenberg

Your sacrifice shall be the agony of agonies, the death of deaths, and yet you'll find yourself unable to resist.

From Project Gutenberg

Entrez donc, 'tis the work of one of your compatriots; and here, though a heretic, you may consider yourself on English ground.

From Project Gutenberg

Tell Lady Maude the candid truth, and take shame and blame to yourself, as you deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, monsieur, I am willing to proceed upon the lines which would appear to be more agreeable to yourself.

From Project Gutenberg