yourself

American  

[yoor-self, yawr-, yohr-, yer-] / yʊərˈsɛlf, yɔr-, yoʊr-, yər- /

pronoun

plural

yourselves

1. (an emphatic appositive of you orye ).

   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, orbut ).

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

7. oneself.

   The surest way is to do it yourself.

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yourself British  

/ 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

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Usage

See myself.

Etymology

Origin of yourself

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

Example Sentences

MarketWatch Don’t Short Yourself: Join MarketWatch on May 6 for a live talk and Q&A on teen investing, starting early and what young investors and their parents should know.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Welcome back to Don’t Short Yourself, where we share practical tips to help you make money and grow your wealth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Welcome back to Don’t Short Yourself, where we cut through the noise and share practical ways to take control of your money.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

MarketWatch’s Don’t Short Yourself: Join MarketWatch on April 22 for a live talk and Q&A on negotiating financial aid, managing loans and avoiding loan debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

I grabbed a Yourself magazine and sat on the floor.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee