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

Vietnamese Coffee Cake Muffins Vietnamese coffee, traditionally a strong coffee sweetened with condensed milk, is a delicious by itself. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025

And finally, Earth's atmosphere is a showstopper by itself. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025

While customers can certainly enjoy wine or bourbon by itself, Audrey’s will teach patrons how to enjoy the two drinks together. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025

Not for a lack of conviction on the part of the series, which wears its revolutionary heart on its sleeve, but simply because no piece of art can bear the burden of changing a world by itself. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for by itself

• ourself
• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• meself
• myself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself
• yourself
• elf