yourself

American  

[yoor-self, yawr-, yohr-, yer-] / yʊərˈsɛlf, yɔr-, yoʊr-, yər- /

pronoun

plural

yourselves

1. (an emphatic appositive of you orye ).

   a letter you yourself wrote.

2. a reflexive form of you (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition).

   Don't blame yourself. Did you ever ask yourself “why”? You can think for yourself.

3. Informal. (used in place of you, especially in compound subjects, objects, and complements).

   Ted and yourself have been elected. We saw your sister and yourself at the game. People like yourselves always feel like that.

4. (used in absolute constructions).

   Yourself having so little money, how could they expect you to help?

5. your normal or customary self.

   You'll soon be yourself again.

6. (used in place of you after as, than, orbut ).

   scholars as famous as yourselves; a girl no older than yourself.

7. oneself.

   The surest way is to do it yourself.

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yourself British  

/ jɔːˈsɛlf, jʊə- /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of you

   2. (intensifier)

      you yourself control your destiny

2. (preceded by a copula) your normal or usual self

   you're not yourself these days

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Usage

See myself.

Etymology

Origin of yourself

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; your, self

Example Sentences

Serving your country doesn’t always mean putting on a uniform, but it does mean taking responsibility for something bigger than yourself.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are standout restaurants, plenty of outdoor recreation—from ice fishing in the winter to lakeside lounging in the summer—and a general sense that you don’t need much of a plan to enjoy yourself.

From Salon

“But the flip side of not ‘looking right’ means you can walk away from it completely and never ask yourself if that’s actually out of respect, or just out of fear.”

From Literature

“Does that sound like you, Lexie? Based on what you’ve told me, it seems like you have so much consideration for your dad’s priorities that it’s at the expense of yourself.”

From Literature

Nine, oblivious to the Recollection, said, “Then don’t go, fox. Just… stay here. Who’s to stop you? You’ve got to think for yourself. Be your own boss.”

From Literature