be oneself
Idioms-
Act in one's usual fashion; be in one's normal physical or mental state. For example, Peter's finally recovered from the accident and is himself again , or I was completely distracted; I just wasn't myself .
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Act without pretense; be unaffected, sincere. For example, I really enjoy their company because I can be myself with them .
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 second value is voice, the term we use to describe the desire for authentic, individualistic self-expression—for instance, the freedom to be oneself without judgment from others.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
“Living authentically and being able to be oneself is where the focus should be.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025
“Love to unite people and the freedom to be oneself, because it’s all about embracing existence and seeking a full, full, real life, with depth,” he says.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2023
Finding space to be oneself can be easier in new dances.
From New York Times • May 4, 2022
At all events, it's flattering to feel one can be oneself.
From Partners of the Out-Trail by Bindloss, Harold
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.
