itself
Americanpronoun
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a reflexive form of it.
The battery recharges itself.
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an emphatic appositive of it, which, that, this, or a noun.
which itself is also true; Even without flowers, the bowl itself is beautiful.
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(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.
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its normal or customary self.
After much tender care, the puppy was soon itself again.
pronoun
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the reflexive form of it 1
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(intensifier)
even the money itself won't convince me
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(preceded by a copula) its normal or usual self
my cat isn't itself today
Usage
See myself.
Etymology
Origin of itself
before 1000; Middle English; Old English hit self. See it 1, self
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.
It is thought to be the result of rapid slimming, rather than the medication itself.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
That should see it carve out a growing niche for itself, according to the analysts.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Preferred investments, meanwhile, are made directly to the asset manager itself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
The company tried to set itself apart from its competitors by emphasizing its focus on privacy and child safety.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
When she touched it, the root shook itself and curled back like an octopus tentacle.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
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.
