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

See Examples For:

oneself

Discovering oneself is one thing, but understanding and embracing it are another entirely.

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026

That’s the thing about being an artist: The need to express oneself is always real.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

“The resultant message is to focus on oneself and find meaning through career success.”

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026

Cleanliness and cleaning up after oneself in public places is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

What must it be like to suddenly be swallowed by the earth, finding oneself nearly ten graves deep?

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

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