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.

---

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

---

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

Thrive LA defines itself as a centrist political advocacy group backed by business and community leaders.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026

“You almost have this bifurcated market, where you’ve got AI and then everything else. That lends itself to lower correlation and lower volatility at the index level,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

But the fact this debate is even being had is itself a symbol of our new energy reality.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

Even though carriers have largely been able to raise fares without denting travel demand, investors fear JetBlue is running out of time to fix itself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

I had a very clear memory of three-year-old Elliot shoving Play-Doh up his nose, a memory I made a habit to remind him of every time the opportunity presented itself.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---