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

While money by itself can be fleeting, wisdom helps ensure it’s used well, benefiting not just the individual, but future generations. —Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

However, there is another potential scenario,one in which the star never even lived long enough to reach supernova status by itself. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025

This stuff is a powerful oxidizer that, while not flammable by itself, will accelerate and intensify combustion of rubber balloons, clothing, hair, skin, eye tissue and other things that burn when used around open flames such as bongs, joints, and cigarettes. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025

In a blog post in May, when Texas was debating its law, the group argued that app store age verification wasn’t by itself enough. —David Ingram, NBC news, 31 July 2025

Rhymes for by itself

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