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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.


himself British  
/ ɪmˈsɛlf, hɪmˈsɛlf /

pronoun

    1. the reflexive form of he or him

    2. (intensifier)

      the king himself waved to me

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

    he seems himself once more

  2. the man of the house

    how is himself?

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The title of Herzog’s 2024 memoir is similarly intense: “Every Man for Himself and God Against All.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Himself a distinct figure, with his Panama hat, mustached grin and ubiquitous cigar, Brito first spotted Valenzuela when he was pitching for Guanajuato in 1978.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

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

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2024

As Jezebel comments in "Joe Jonas Is Working Overtime to Paint Himself as a Great Dad," there were not-so-coincidental paparazzi photos of the singer spending time with his kids shortly after the announcement.

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2023

I believed he had been divinely sent to our people by Allah Himself.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

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