ourselves
Americanpronoun
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a reflexive form of we (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition).
We are deceiving ourselves. Give us a moment to ourselves.
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(used as an intensive withwe ).
We ourselves would never say such a thing.
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Informal. (used in place of we or us, especially in compound subjects, objects, and complements).
The children and ourselves thank you kindly. When it satisfies ourselves, it will be ready to market. The ones who really want the new system are the manager and ourselves.
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(used in place of we or us after as, than, orbut ).
How many parents are as fortunate as ourselves? No one loves skiing more than ourselves. Nobody heard it but ourselves.
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our customary, normal, or healthy selves.
After a good rest, we're almost ourselves again.
pronoun
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the reflexive form of we or us
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(intensifier)
we ourselves will finish it
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(preceded by a copula) our usual selves
we are ourselves when we're together
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not_standard used instead of we or us in compound noun phrases
other people and ourselves
Usage
See myself.
Etymology
Origin of ourselves
1300–50; Middle English oure selven; see our, self, -en 4, -s 3
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.
Do you, t' encourage us to tell our mind, Yourselves put off disguise, and be sincere.
From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1 by Richardson, Samuel
"Yourselves this night right easy / shall rest," the noble margrave spake.
From The Nibelungenlied Translated into Rhymed English Verse in the Metre of the Original by Needler, George Henry
Yourselves will bear me witness however and always in this place, I have protested that death is no evil, save as the element of injustice may be mingled therein.
From Paul Faber, Surgeon by MacDonald, George
Yourselves be ready With trumpet's cheerful clang, in martial train To lead your mistress home: let two attend me, The rest await my quick return; and each Guard well my secret purpose.
From The Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in Tragedy by Schiller, Friedrich
That of your five sound senses You never be forsaken; Nor travel from Yourselves with Tom Abroad, to beg your bacon.
From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 2 by Disraeli, Isaac
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
