by itself
idiom
1
: without being directly controlled by a person : automatically
The computer shuts off by itself if you haven't used it for a while.
The sprinkler will turn on by itself.
2
: with nothing nearby : alone
The house stood by itself at the end of the street.
Examples of by itself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sturdy job growth by itself can boost consumer purchases because more people are working.
—
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
For instance in India’s largest state of Uttar Pradesh, home just by itself to more than 230 million people, women favored the BJP by two percentage points more than men.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
For the championship golf course, Jack Nicklaus and top PGA Tour player Justin Thomas designed what many—including Nicklaus himself—have insisted is in a class by itself.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
The drone flies by itself on autopilot and will actually hover and maneuver its way through the air to dodge your shots.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 12 Apr. 2024
Privacy Policy But fear of cancer, a fear that in some cases exceeds the medical evidence, causes great harm all by itself.
—David Ropeik, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
This classic recipe works as a dip, spread, or all by itself.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
That elites make national security decisions is not, by itself, bad.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
During that time period, American Airlines brought in more than $1 billion in the charges just by itself.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2024
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
For instance in India’s largest state of Uttar Pradesh, home just by itself to more than 230 million people, women favored the BJP by two percentage points more than men.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
For the championship golf course, Jack Nicklaus and top PGA Tour player Justin Thomas designed what many—including Nicklaus himself—have insisted is in a class by itself.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
The drone flies by itself on autopilot and will actually hover and maneuver its way through the air to dodge your shots.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 12 Apr. 2024
Privacy Policy But fear of cancer, a fear that in some cases exceeds the medical evidence, causes great harm all by itself.
—David Ropeik, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
This classic recipe works as a dip, spread, or all by itself.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
That elites make national security decisions is not, by itself, bad.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
During that time period, American Airlines brought in more than $1 billion in the charges just by itself.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by itself.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near by itself
Cite this Entry
“By itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20itself. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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