oneself

American  

[wuhn-self, wuhnz-] / wʌnˈsɛlf, wʌnz- /

Archaic, one's self

pronoun

1. a person's self (used for emphasis or reflexively).

   One often hurts oneself accidentally.

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idioms

1. by oneself,

   1. without a companion; alone.

   2. through one's own efforts; unaided.

      to become a millionaire by oneself.

2. be oneself,

   1. to be in one's normal state of mind or physical condition.

   2. to be unaffected and sincere.

      One makes more friends by being oneself than by putting on airs.

3. come to oneself, Also come to one's self

   1. Also come to. to regain consciousness.

   2. to regain one's self-possession; come to one's senses.

oneself British  

/ wʌnˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of one one

   2. (intensifier)

      one doesn't do that oneself

2. (preceded by a copula) one's normal or usual self

   one doesn't feel oneself after such an experience

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oneself More Idioms  

1. see avail (oneself) of; be oneself; beside oneself; burn (oneself) out; by oneself; cover one's ass (oneself); crank (oneself) up; do oneself in; excuse me (oneself); exert oneself; explain oneself; express oneself; fall all over (oneself); feel like oneself; find oneself; flatter oneself; fling oneself at; forget oneself; full of oneself; get a grip on (oneself); give a good account of oneself; give of oneself; give (oneself) away; give oneself up; have oneself; hear oneself think; help oneself; keep to oneself; kick oneself; knock oneself out; law unto oneself; lay (oneself) open; leave (oneself) open; let (oneself) go; live with (oneself); lose oneself in; make a laughingstock of oneself; make a name for oneself; make an exhibition of oneself; make a nuisance of oneself; make a pig of oneself; make oneself at home; make oneself scarce; not oneself; paint oneself into a corner; plume oneself; pride oneself on; pull oneself together; pull oneself up; put oneself out; relieve oneself; repeat oneself; shift for oneself; shoot oneself in the foot; spread oneself too thin; suit oneself; sure of oneself; take it upon oneself; throw oneself at; tie oneself in knots; trouble one's head (oneself) about.

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Etymology

Origin of oneself

First recorded in 1540–50; shortened form of one's self

Example Sentences

Ridding oneself of unconscious bias can be a daily practice, so I hope this 60-something single man does not sacrifice too much of his downtime for overtime.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Contracts entered into under severe constraint can be voided, as can agreements that violate the principles of freedom, such as selling oneself into slavery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Ortiz’s show premiering at the Joy Who Lived Festival revels in the unhinged and urges people to judge each other for past messes with the opportunity to redeem oneself through comedy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

There are no legal requirements about how and where bodies should be stored, and no qualifications are needed to establish oneself as a funeral director.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

And the point was not self-expression alone but to make oneself understood by many others.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• character
• ego
• identity
• individuality
• myself
• person
• personality