herself

American  

[her-self] / hərˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. an emphatic appositive of her or she.

   She herself wrote the letter.

2. a reflexive form of her.

   She supports herself.

3. (used in absolute constructions).

   Herself still only a child, she had to take care of her four younger brothers and sisters.

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

   She gave herself a facial massage. He asked her for a picture of herself.

5. (used in comparisons after as orthan ).

   She found out that the others were even more nervous than herself.

6. her normal or customary self.

   After a few weeks of rest, she will be herself again.

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herself British  

/ həˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of she or her

   2. (intensifier)

      the queen herself signed the letter

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

   she looks herself again after the operation

3. the wife or woman of the house

   is herself at home?

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Usage

See myself.

Etymology

Origin of herself

before 1000; Middle English hire-selfe, Old English hire self. See her, self

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

herself

Ngake has strong opinions herself about those from overseas who wish to live in the UK.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

But Rippey has said she doesn’t see herself as a victim of a powerful man.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Jordan, who is 38 and works in corporate training, was aware of the city’s relatively high crime rate but felt she could keep herself safe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

But as she weighs a third presidential bid, Harris stands to face a bigger and more formidable opponent: herself.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

She gave Janet all the freedom she’d never had as a child, and when her daughter proved to be the responsible sort, she gave herself a little freedom, too.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith