himself

pronoun him·self \ (h)im-ˈself , Southern also -ˈsef \

Definition of himself

1 a : that identical male one —used reflexively, for emphasis, in absolute constructions, and in place of him especially when joined to another object

he considers himself lucky

he himself did it

himself unhappy, he understood the situation

a gift to his wife and himself

— compare ¹he

b —used reflexively when the sex of the antecedent is unspecified

everyone must fend for himself

2 : his normal, healthy, or sane condition or self

hasn't been himself lately

3 chiefly Ireland and Scotland : a man of consequence; especially : the master of the house

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Examples of himself in a Sentence

After a good night's sleep, he felt like himself again.
He's not himself today; something must be bothering him.

First Known Use of himself

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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HIMSELF Defined for English Language Learners

himself

pronoun

Definition of himself for English Language Learners

: that same man, boy, or male animal:
—used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a man, boy, or male animal that has already been mentioned
—used for emphasis to refer again to a man, boy, or male animal that has already been mentioned