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
Enjoy this dump cake hot out of the oven by itself, or top with vanilla ice cream.
—
Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The impact of dynamical dark energy The team’s results showed that DDE by itself has a minimal impact on cosmic structure.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
How to Build a Balanced Breakfast Neither eggs nor Greek yogurt is a complete breakfast by itself.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
Although it’s generally not talked about in such terms, this discovery, all by itself, is easily a Nobel-worthy achievement.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 24 Sep. 2025
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Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The impact of dynamical dark energy The team’s results showed that DDE by itself has a minimal impact on cosmic structure.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
How to Build a Balanced Breakfast Neither eggs nor Greek yogurt is a complete breakfast by itself.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
Although it’s generally not talked about in such terms, this discovery, all by itself, is easily a Nobel-worthy achievement.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by itself
Cite this Entry
“By itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20itself. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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