self

¹

[ self ]

noun

, plural selves [selvz].

1. a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality:

   one's own self.

2. a person's nature, character, etc.:

   his better self.

3. personal interest.
4. Philosophy.
   1. the ego; that which knows, remembers, desires, suffers, etc., as contrasted with that known, remembered, etc.
   2. the uniting principle, as a soul, underlying all subjective experience.

adjective

1. being the same throughout, as a color; uniform.
2. being of one piece with or the same material as the rest:

   drapes with a self lining.

3. Immunology. the natural constituents of the body, which are normally not subject to attack by components of the immune system ( nonself ).
4. Obsolete. same.

pronoun

, plural selves.

1. myself, himself, herself, etc.:

   to make a check payable to self.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to self-pollinate.

self-

²

1. 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 ).

self-

¹

combining_form

1. of oneself or itself

   self-rule

   self-defence

2. by, to, in, due to, for, or from the self

   self-respect

   self-employed

   self-inflicted

3. automatic or automatically

   self-propelled

self

²

/ sɛlf /

noun

1. the distinct individuality or identity of a person or thing
2. a person's usual or typical bodily make-up or personal characteristics

   she looked her old self again

3. 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
4. one's own welfare or interests

   he only thinks of self

5. an individual's consciousness of his own identity or being
6. the self
   philosophy that which is essential to an individual, esp the mind or soul in Cartesian metaphysics; the ego
7. a bird, animal, etc, that is a single colour throughout, esp a self-coloured pigeon

pronoun

1. not_standard.
   myself, yourself, etc

   seats for self and wife

adjective

1. of the same colour or material See also self-coloured

   a dress with a self belt

2. obsolete.
   the same

Word History and Origins

Origin of self¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English self, selfa; cognate with Dutch zelf, German selb-, Old Norse sjalfr, Gothic silba; akin to Irish féin, Latin suī, sē

Word History and Origins

Origin of self¹

Old English seolf; related to Old Norse sjālfr, Gothic silba, Old High German selb

Example Sentences

She said: "The reason we wanted these sessions was to build Elen’s  self confidence and it did the absolute opposite in terms of feeling rejected, or not good enough, or just not important enough."

From BBC

By the look of the highlights he sees of Dobbins breaking free from defenders and somersaulting into the end zone, the running back definitely looks to be back to his old self.

From Los Angeles Times

“Yes, I just spoke in the third person about my past self.”

From Los Angeles Times

“That kid looks quite chill,” said Barry Jenkins of the picture of his younger self he has saved on his phone.

From Los Angeles Times

Tyson, as you might expect from a man aged 58 and having not competed professionally in 19 years, was a shadow of his old self.

From BBC

Related Words

• character
• ego
• identity
• individuality
• myself
• person
• personality