itself

[ it-self ]

/ ɪtˈsɛlf /

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pronoun

a reflexive form of it¹: The battery recharges itself.

an emphatic appositive of it¹, which, that, this, or a noun: which itself is also true; Even without flowers, the bowl itself is beautiful.

(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.

its normal or customary self: After much tender care, the puppy was soon itself again.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of itself

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hit self.See it¹, self

usage note for itself

See myself.

Words nearby itself

it's all over with, it's all relative, it's an ill wind, it's a small world, it's a zoo, itself, It's never over till it's over, It's never too late to mend, It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game, it's no use, it stands to reason

How to use itself in a sentence

Since the 1950s, fluoride has adapted itself to the prevailing concerns of the time.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
“Gronkowski” itself never manages to sound more erotic than the name of a hearty Polish stew or a D-list WWE performer.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
While public interest in Ebola continues to dwindle, the epidemic itself continues to soar.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Finding the shop is a trip in itself and an introduction to a slice of history.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech|Liza Foreman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

That apparently includes some members of the management of the airport itself and some air traffic controllers.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This mania for correction shows itself too in relation to the authorities themselves.
Children's Ways|James Sully
This is one of the most striking manifestations of the better side of child-nature and deserves a chapter to itself.
Children's Ways|James Sully
The well-worn aphorism of the Frenchman, “History repeats itself,” was about to assert itself.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Besides this fundamental or primary vibration, the movement divides itself into segments, or sections, of the entire length.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
I've never had time to write home about it, for I felt that it required a dissertation in itself to do it justice.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for itself

itself

/ (ɪtˈsɛlf) /

pronoun

the reflexive form of it 1
(intensifier)even the money itself won't convince me

(preceded by a copula) its normal or usual selfmy cat isn't itself today

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012