themself

[ thuhm-self, them- ]

pronoun

1. Nonstandard. themselves ( def ): The teacher introduced themself to the class.

   The kids began laughing at themself.

   Everyone who got the right answer can congratulate themself.

   The teacher introduced themself to the class.

2. a reflexive form of singular they, as used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person:

   Chris only posts memes that they created themself.

Usage Note

Themself has a long history of use in English as a reflexive pronoun referring back to a plural antecedent ( the right of all citizens to protect themself ) or to a single generic or unspecified antecedent ( someone capable of speaking for themself ). In spite of historical use, in these contexts the pronoun themself is not considered to be standard English. A more acceptable alternative is the plural pronoun themselves , though its use with a singular antecedent is rejected as ungrammatical by many people. The singular antecedent is more commonly paired with the third person singular reflexive himself or herself, as recommended by traditional grammars ( someone capable of speaking for himself ). However, when themself is being used as part of a set of pronouns (including they, their, and them ) that refer back to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming individual, it is a grammatical option to express reflexive meaning. Neither plural themselves nor gendered himself or herself completely suffice in this context. The grammaticality of nonbinary singular themself in this paradigm follows logically from the acceptability of singular they in this function: Andi is learning to put themself first, and prioritize their own happiness and mental health. they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of themself¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; them ( def ) + self ( def )

Example Sentences

No one should resign themself to a lifetime of chronic ill-health.

From The Daily Beast

And when mass was done the king and the queen opened the letters privily by themself.

From Project Gutenberg

Then when they beheld the great multitude of people that they had slain, they held themself great sinners.

From Project Gutenberg

And in hete of the sonne wery wayfarynge and trauelynge men haue lykynge to have reste and to hele themself in the shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm not one o' these kind o' people that'd keep a joke to themself just because the joke was on them.

From Project Gutenberg

It's about two merry, sensible girls who found themself obliged to earn their own living.

From Project Gutenberg