itself

pronoun

it·​self it-ˈself 

ət-,

 Southern also  -ˈsef

1

: that identical one

—used reflexively,

watched the cat giving itself a bath

for emphasis,

the letter itself was missing

or in absolute constructions

itself a splendid specimen of classic art, it has been exhibited throughout the world

compare it sense 1

2

: its normal, healthy, or sane condition

Phrases

in itself

: in its own nature : intrinsically

was not in itself bad

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for itself

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

Kids Definition

itself

pronoun

it·​self it-ˈself 

ət-

1

: that identical one

—used to show that the subject and object of the verb are the same

the cat gave itself a bath

or for emphasis

the letter itself was missing

2

: its normal, healthy, or sane self