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.

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himself British  

/ ɪmˈsɛlf, hɪmˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of he or him

   2. (intensifier)

      the king himself waved to me

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

   he seems himself once more

3. the man of the house

   how is himself?

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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

See Examples For:

himself

The Edens spokesman previously said the billionaire reached out to law enforcement out of concern for the safety of himself and his family.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

The former composer also reportedly posted concerning videos on Instagram of himself spending “much of his time on the street.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

A third disc, “The Stranger in the House,” finds Costello imagining another potential career for himself as a professional songwriter.

From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2026

His father, Robert Bell, said his son "never took himself too seriously and had a wicked sense of humour".

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

He turns swiftly, bends, and heaves himself onto the wagon perch.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes