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

The Goldman Sachs note published Monday reasserted its belief in the inflation-hedging/ safe-haven allure of gold that Thomas thinks will gradually reassert itself.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Iran’s most strategically important island, Kharg, is actually hundreds of miles northwest of the strait itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

It’s notable that Vance saved this nugget about demons for Johnson, who works with TPUSA, which bills itself as a youth outreach organization.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

The fossil itself was discovered in 2023 by co-author Hyemin Jo.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

But it was the Beje, too, something in the house itself that called me, beckoned me, told me to come home.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom