by itself

phrase

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

The haunting 56-second clip begins with a theater curtain opening to reveal a nearly empty stage with just a piano and the C key playing repeatedly by itself. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Most of those will belong to SpaceX, if all goes to plan; Elon Musk has said the company wants to operate a million-satellite AI constellation all by itself. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026

As Paredes acknowledged, selling an airline ticket by itself may not generate much margin. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

That information could not be used to disqualify a hospice by itself, ACHC argued. — Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for by itself

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