himself

pronoun

him·​self (h)im-ˈself How to pronounce himself (audio)
 Southern also  -ˈsef
1
a
: that identical male one
used reflexively, for emphasis, in absolute constructions, and in place of him especially when joined to another object
he considers himself lucky
he himself did it
himself unhappy, he understood the situation
a gift to his wife and himself
compare he entry 1
b
used reflexively when the sex of the antecedent is unspecified
everyone must fend for himself
2
: his normal, healthy, or sane condition or self
hasn't been himself lately
3
chiefly Ireland and Scotland : a man of consequence
especially : the master of the house

Examples of himself in a Sentence

After a good night's sleep, he felt like himself again. He's not himself today; something must be bothering him.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of himself was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near himself

Cite this Entry

“Himself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/himself. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

himself

pronoun
him·​self (h)im-ˈself How to pronounce himself (audio)
1
: that identical male one : that identical one whose sex is unknown or immaterial
used for emphasis or to show that the subject and object of the verb are the same
considers himself lucky
he himself did it
2
: his normal, healthy, or sane self
he's himself again

More from Merriam-Webster on himself

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