ourselves

plural pronoun

our·​selves är-ˈselvz 

au̇(-ə)r-

1

: those identical ones that are we

—used reflexively,

we're doing it solely for ourselves

for emphasis,

we ourselves will never go

or in absolute constructions

ourselves no longer young, we can sympathize with those who are old

compare we sense 1

2

: our normal, healthy, or sane condition

just not ourselves today

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ourselves

• by ourselves
• for ourselves

Rhymes for ourselves

• bookshelves
• themselves
• yourselves
• delves
• elves
• pelves
• selves
• shelves

Kids Definition

ourselves

plural pronoun

our·​selves är-ˈselvz 

au̇(ə)r-

1

: our own selves

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

we amused ourselves

we did it ourselves

2

: our normal or healthy selves

just not ourselves today