themselves

[ thuhm-selvz, them- ]

pronoun

1. a reflexive form of plural they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition:

   They washed themselves quickly. The painters gave themselves a week to finish the work. The noisy passengers drew attention to themselves.

2. an emphatic form of them or they:

   The authors themselves left the theater. The contract was written by the partners themselves.

3. a reflexive form of singular they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition:
   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

      No one who ignores the law can call themselves a good citizen.

   2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

      I want to help my friend who is harming themselves.

   3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

      Ash introduced themselves to the job recruiter.

4. (used in place of they or them after as, than, or but ):

   no soldiers braver than themselves; As for the entertainers, everyone got paid but themselves.

5. their usual, normal, characteristic selves:

   After a hot meal and a few hours' rest, they were themselves again.

themselves

/ ðəmˈsɛlvz /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of they or them
   2. (intensifier)

      the team themselves voted on it

2. preceded by a copula their normal or usual selves

   they don't seem themselves any more

3. not_standard.
   Alsothemself a reflexive form of an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

   everyone has to look after themselves

Usage Note

See myself, they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of themselves¹

First recorded in 1300–50; them + selves; replacing themself, Middle English thamself; self

Example Sentences

We have thousands of users who identify themselves as transgendered and they are welcome members of the Grindr community.

From The Daily Beast

Grindr introduced the feature themselves in October the same year and called it ‘tribes.’

From The Daily Beast

Sadly, it appears the American press often doesn't need any outside help when it comes to censoring themselves.

From The Daily Beast

Parents are talking about it, schools are talking about it, even kids themselves are talking about it.

From The Daily Beast

As for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.

From The Daily Beast

This mania for correction shows itself too in relation to the authorities themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

All our intelligent students will insist upon learning what they can of these discussions and forming opinions for themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

Her eyes, for a moment, fixed themselves with a horrid conviction of a wide and nameless treachery.

From Project Gutenberg

His lordship retired shortly to his study, Hetton and Mr. Haggard betook themselves to the billiard-room.

From Project Gutenberg

All the operations of her brain related themselves somehow to to-morrow afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg