itself

American  

[it-self] / ɪtˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. a reflexive form of it.

   The battery recharges itself.

2. an emphatic appositive of it, which, that, this, or a noun.

   which itself is also true; Even without flowers, the bowl itself is beautiful.

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

   The chameleon's ability to change color is a protection for itself.

4. its normal or customary self.

   After much tender care, the puppy was soon itself again.

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itself British  

/ ɪtˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of it 1

   2. (intensifier)

      even the money itself won't convince me

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

   my cat isn't itself today

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Usage

See myself.

Etymology

Origin of itself

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hit self. See it ¹, self

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

itself

A survey of purchasing managers released last week found that business activity in August increased at the same pace as in July, which itself was an eight-month high.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The government is effectively paying itself, as the money owed was from its own Public Works Loans Board, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

The relationship also remained after the researchers accounted for phenylalanine and other related factors, strengthening the possibility that tyrosine itself may have an independent connection to aging.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

Open has long prided itself as being the loudest, brashest and unmistakably New York-iest of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

The word enters my ear like a snake, searing itself into my brain, and I recoil, like his statement of ridiculousness pushed me.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam