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

“It’s so self deprecating without being pandering, you know?”

From Los Angeles Times

"You've got to be comfortable with yourself and understand your body, so you can tell others how it works. Self love is also really important."

From BBC

He added, "There's also been a spike in searches for 'frosting near me,' 'induce self coma how to' and 'cried so hard I pooped?'"

From Salon

I was having a really good year at the shop, so I bought it not just for me but for my younger self.

From Los Angeles Times

Sam Farmer’s pick: The Rams have three electrifying receivers, and Stafford looks like his best self.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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