itself

American  

[it-self] / ɪtˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. a reflexive form of it.

   The battery recharges itself.

2. an emphatic appositive of it, which, that, this, or a noun.

   which itself is also true; Even without flowers, the bowl itself is beautiful.

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

   The chameleon's ability to change color is a protection for itself.

4. its normal or customary self.

   After much tender care, the puppy was soon itself again.

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itself British  

/ ɪtˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of it 1

   2. (intensifier)

      even the money itself won't convince me

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

   my cat isn't itself today

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Usage

See myself.

Etymology

Origin of itself

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hit self. See it ¹, self

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

itself

“You almost have this bifurcated market, where you’ve got AI and then everything else. That lends itself to lower correlation and lower volatility at the index level,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

It may be needed not just for households and families, but for the Exchequer itself.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

"For centuries, Oxford Street has reinvented itself, adapting to changing times and helping shape British culture along the way," he added, saying the move would "revitalise" the road and make the capital "greener".

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026

Of the ship itself there is now nothing to see, owing to underwater exposure.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

As the brain detects a fall in blood temperature, it automatically protects itself by shutting down the blood supply to the hands and feet.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

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