Definition of by itself
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.
Comments on by itself
What made you want to look up by itself? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
A Thanksgiving Word Quiz
- November comes from a word for which of the following numbers?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- A Thanksgiving Word Quiz
We are thankful for obscure words.
Take the quiz - Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put i...
Play the game
Share by itself