myself

pronoun

my·​self mī-ˈself 

mə-,

 Southern also  -ˈsef

1

: that identical one that is I

—used reflexively,

I'm going to get myself a new suit

for emphasis,

I myself will go

or in absolute constructions

Myself a tourist, I nevertheless avoided other tourists.

2

: my normal, healthy, or sane condition

didn't feel myself yesterday

I find it hard to be myself around them.

Using Myself in Place of I or Me: Usage Guide

Myself is often used where I or me might be expected: as subject,

to wonder what myself will say

—Emily Dickinson

others and myself continued to press for the legislation

after as, than, or like,

an aversion to paying such people as myself to tutor

was enough to make a better man than myself quail

old-timers like myself

and as object.

now here you see myself with the diver

for my wife and myself it was a happy time

Such uses almost always occur when the speaker or writer is referring to himself or herself as an object of discourse rather than as a participant in discourse. The other reflexive personal pronouns are similarly but less frequently used in the same circumstances. Critics have frowned on these uses since about the turn of the century, probably unaware that they serve a definite purpose. Users themselves are as unaware as the critics—they simply follow their instincts. These uses are standard.

Phrases

by myself

1

: without help

I did it by myself.

2

: with no one else

I went to the movies by myself.

for myself

: without needing anyone else to give a description, explanation, etc.

I went to see/hear it for myself.

to myself

: to enjoy alone

I had the house to myself.

Examples of myself in a Sentence

I'm not myself today. I just don't feel right.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for myself

• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• itself
• meself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself
• yourself
• elf
• self

Kids Definition

myself

pronoun

my·​self mī-ˈself 

mə-

1

: the one that is I

—used for emphasis or to show that the subject and object of the verb are the same

I'll go myself

I'm going to get myself a new hobby

2

: my normal or healthy self

didn't feel myself yesterday