himself

[ him-self; medially im-self ]

pronoun

1. an emphatic appositive of him or he ¹:

   He himself spoke to the men.

2. a reflexive form of him:

   He cut himself.

3. (used in absolute constructions):

   Himself the soul of honor, he included many rascals among his intimates.

4. (used as the object of a preposition or as the direct or indirect object of a verb):

   The old car had room only for himself and three others.

5. (used in comparisons after as or than ):

   His wife is as stingy as himself.

6. his normal or customary self:

   He is himself again.

7. Irish English. a man of importance, especially the master of the house:

   Himself will be wanting an early dinner.

himself

/ ɪmˈsɛlf; hɪmˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of he or him
   2. (intensifier)

      the king himself waved to me

2. preceded by a copula his normal or usual self

   he seems himself once more

3. the man of the house

   how is himself?

Usage Note

See myself.

Word History and Origins

Origin of himself¹

before 900; Middle English him selven, Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self he himself; him, self

Word History and Origins

Origin of himself¹

Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self; see he ¹, self

Example Sentences

On Thursday, Garcetti ruled himself out of the race to succeed Boxer.

From The Daily Beast

In the first episode, an officer is shown video of himself shooting and killing a man.

From The Daily Beast

He sees himself as the first Muslim president of all Europe.

From The Daily Beast

Houellebecq shows himself to be perfectly disgusted with humanity.

From The Daily Beast

The third suspect, an 18-year-old named Hamyd Mourad, who turned himself in, is part of the same extended family.

From The Daily Beast

And he was gone, and out of sight on the swift galloping Benito, before Father Gaspara bethought himself.

From Project Gutenberg

He distinguished himself in several campaigns, especially in the Peninsular war, and was raised to the rank of field marshal.

From Project Gutenberg

In the meantime, the outlaw, having observed how much more cordially the tyrant is received than himself, has made his exit.

From Project Gutenberg

After all, may not even John Burns be human; may not Mr. Chamberlain himself have a heart that can feel for another?

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide washed and powdered Jean himself, the landlord lounging by, pipe in mouth, administering suggestions.

From Project Gutenberg