themself

American  

[thuhm-self, them-] / ðəmˈsɛlf, ˌðɛm- /

pronoun

1. Nonstandard. themselves: The teacher introduced themself to the class.

   The kids began laughing at themself.

   Everyone who got the right answer can congratulate themself.

   The teacher introduced themself to the class.

2. a reflexive form of singular they, as used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person.

   Chris only posts memes that they created themself.

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Usage

Themself has a long history of use in English as a reflexive pronoun referring back to a plural antecedent ( the right of all citizens to protect themself ) or to a single generic or unspecified antecedent ( someone capable of speaking for themself ). In spite of historical use, in these contexts the pronoun themself is not considered to be standard English. A more acceptable alternative is the plural pronoun themselves , though its use with a singular antecedent is rejected as ungrammatical by many people. The singular antecedent is more commonly paired with the third person singular reflexive himself or herself, as recommended by traditional grammars ( someone capable of speaking for himself ). However, when themself is being used as part of a set of pronouns (including they, their, and them ) that refer back to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming individual, it is a grammatical option to express reflexive meaning. Neither plural themselves nor gendered himself or herself completely suffice in this context. The grammaticality of nonbinary singular themself in this paradigm follows logically from the acceptability of singular they in this function: Andi is learning to put themself first, and prioritize their own happiness and mental health. See also they.

Etymology

Origin of themself

First recorded in 1350–1400; them ( def. ) + self ( def. )

Example Sentences

It’s a show biz story of growing up within a show biz story, but it’s relatable, too, for anyone who has dealt with aging parents or has had the sad occasion to clear out the house where they grew up or reflect upon how imperfectly they understood their parents — and how that understanding is a key to understanding themself.

From Los Angeles Times

Raised in Fife, Alon taught themself guitar as a teenager after finding an old instrument at their grandmother's house.

From BBC

A self-described wayward teen themself, they had their own friend taken away and shipped off to a version of Tall Pines.

From Los Angeles Times

This adjustability can be a good thing—imagine a marathoner repeating mantras to themself as they push through the final miles of a race—or a very bad thing.

From Slate

But anyone who’s ever shared a family joke, or wanted to ask a question of someone no longer around to answer it, or compared notes with a sibling on a parent never fully understood will recognize themself here.

From Los Angeles Times