self
a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality: one's own self.
a person's nature, character, etc.: his better self.
personal interest.
Philosophy.
the ego; that which knows, remembers, desires, suffers, etc., as contrasted with that known, remembered, etc.
the uniting principle, as a soul, underlying all subjective experience.
myself, himself, herself, etc.: to make a check payable to self.
to self-pollinate.
Origin of self
1Other definitions for self- (2 of 2)
a combining form of self and variously used with the meanings “of the self” (self-analysis) and “by oneself or itself” (self-appointed); and with the meanings “to, with, toward, for, on, in oneself” (self-complacent), “inherent in oneself or itself” (self-explanatory), “independent” (self-government), and “automatic” (self-operating).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use self in a sentence
We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze | Lizzie Crocker | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTStephanie Giorgio, a classical musician, credits The Class for helping her cope with anxiety, focus, fear, and self-doubt.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze | Lizzie Crocker | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTFor someone with anorexia, self-starvation makes them feel better.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models | Carrie Arnold | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTI went into the audition as Fericito, the Venezuelan percussionist, and then I did a self-defense expert.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness | Marlow Stern | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThose who come to the Dinner Party are self-selecting; they do want to talk about it.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone | Samantha Levine | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of great action is gone, like the bloom from a soiled flower.
Pearls of Thought | Maturin M. BallouNow this setting up of an orderly law-abiding self seems to me to imply that there are impulses which make for order.
Children's Ways | James SullyAt present, Louis was too self-absorbed by the struggles within him, to look deep into what was passing around him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterBut to wave this discourse of Heathens, how many self-contradicting principles are there held among Christians?
Jean grinned and dribbled self-consciously, and showed his two little teeth to the proudest father in the world.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. Locke
British Dictionary definitions for self (1 of 2)
/ (sɛlf) /
the distinct individuality or identity of a person or thing
a person's usual or typical bodily make-up or personal characteristics: she looked her old self again
good self or good selves rare a polite way of referring to or addressing a person (or persons), used following your, his, her, or their
one's own welfare or interests: he only thinks of self
an individual's consciousness of his own identity or being
the self philosophy that which is essential to an individual, esp the mind or soul in Cartesian metaphysics; the ego
a bird, animal, etc, that is a single colour throughout, esp a self-coloured pigeon
not standard myself, yourself, etc: seats for self and wife
of the same colour or material: a dress with a self belt See also self-coloured
obsolete the same
Origin of self
1British Dictionary definitions for self- (2 of 2)
of oneself or itself: self-defence; self-rule
by, to, in, due to, for, or from the self: self-employed; self-inflicted; self-respect
automatic or automatically: self-propelled
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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