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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oneself

This involves immersing oneself in water that is below 15°C to boost recovery.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

To follow Alexander was, Mr. Richardson relates, for all but his luckiest generals, ultimately to sacrifice oneself “for another man’s dreams,” namely and tragically, to “break the limits of his humanity.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

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

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026

But it’s also a savvy, deliberative portrait of leadership in a fractured time, with a unique takeaway: Knowing oneself is as essential to the job as knowing who one’s friends and enemies are.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

“My advice is to not get tangled up with the law to begin with. Once you do, it’s a sticky wicket, that’s for sure! Not easy to extricate oneself, har har.”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

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