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

Deputies were called to the home in March 2021 after Ordazarmed himself with a blade and told his sister he was suicidal.

From Los Angeles Times

He has explained his support for the president-elect by describing himself as a "strong capitalist" and saying Trump has a "competitive growth model".

From BBC

He said afterwards he put "no pressure" on captain David Ferrer to pick him, but joked he would not selected himself if Spain set up a semi-final against Germany or Canada.

From BBC

Jelly Roll, no stranger to the tattooist's art himself, says he wants to give the prince a tattoo on the neck, as the pair are filmed in the East Side Ink tattoo studio.

From BBC

Comedian Adam Ray isn’t feeling quite like himself these days — and that’s just fine with him.

From Los Angeles Times