themselves

American  

[thuhm-selvz, them-] / ðəmˈsɛlvz, ˌðɛm- /

pronoun

1. a reflexive form of plural they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

   They washed themselves quickly. The painters gave themselves a week to finish the work. The noisy passengers drew attention to themselves.

2. an emphatic form of them or they.

   The authors themselves left the theater. The contract was written by the partners themselves.

3. a reflexive form of singular they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      No one who ignores the law can call themselves a good citizen.

   2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      I want to help my friend who is harming themselves.

   3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      Ash introduced themselves to the job recruiter.

4. (used in place of they or them after as, than, orbut ).

   no soldiers braver than themselves; As for the entertainers, everyone got paid but themselves.

5. their usual, normal, characteristic selves.

   After a hot meal and a few hours' rest, they were themselves again.

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themselves British  

/ ðəmˈsɛlvz /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of they or them

   2. (intensifier)

      the team themselves voted on it

2. (preceded by a copula) their normal or usual selves

   they don't seem themselves any more

3. Also: themself.  not_standard a reflexive form of an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

   everyone has to look after themselves

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Usage

See myself, they.

Etymology

Origin of themselves

First recorded in 1300–50; them + selves; replacing themself, Middle English thamself; self

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

themselves

“To the degree that Republican candidates are distancing themselves, they’re understanding that they’re actually appealing to newer electorates,” Peterson said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026

All of these attendees were following the example set by those at the top: looking out for themselves and trying to swell their own stash.

From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026

To scratch that fully voyeuristic itch, we often have to wait for merger and dealmaker principals to talk for themselves: the sit-down broadcast interviews; the expansive anecdotes from a panel stage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

In the early hours of 18 September, the security forces positioned themselves outside the homes of 11 senior government officials in the capital, Asmara, on the president's orders.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

A roaring fills my ears and the walls around me start turning, folding in on themselves.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam