ourselves

[ ahr-selvz, ouuhr-, ou-er- ]

plural pronoun

1. a reflexive form of we (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition):

   We are deceiving ourselves. Give us a moment to ourselves.

2. (used as an intensive with we ):

   We ourselves would never say such a thing.

3. Informal. (used in place of we or us, especially in compound subjects, objects, and complements):

   The children and ourselves thank you kindly. When it satisfies ourselves, it will be ready to market. The ones who really want the new system are the manager and ourselves.

4. (used in place of we or us after as, than, or but ):

   How many parents are as fortunate as ourselves? No one loves skiing more than ourselves. Nobody heard it but ourselves.

5. our customary, normal, or healthy selves:

   After a good rest, we're almost ourselves again.

ourselves

/ aʊəˈsɛlvz /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of we or us
   2. (intensifier)

      we ourselves will finish it

2. preceded by a copula our usual selves

   we are ourselves when we're together

3. not_standard.
   used instead of we or us in compound noun phrases

   other people and ourselves

Usage Note

See myself.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ourselves¹

1300–50; Middle English oure selven; our, self, -en ⁴, -s ³

Example Sentences

“The best way to save ourselves is through music, always. A toast to music from the heart.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We will teach ourselves to respect and rely on nature,” someone who identified himself as Mahoney wrote on Telegram.

From Salon

"We're excited to challenge ourselves against the world's top-ranked team and back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions," said Borthwick.

From BBC

But it is the order we find in the beauty we make, in ourselves and others, just as we do in the things around us, that sustains and comforts.

From Los Angeles Times

But we stop saying that to ourselves at a certain age.”

From Los Angeles Times