- herself */*/*/
- strong UK [hə(r)ˈself] / US [hərˈself]
weak UK [ə(r)ˈself] / US [ərˈself]
pronoun
Summary:
Herself is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of she. It is used especially in the following ways: - as an object that refers to the same female who is the subject of the sentence or who is mentioned somewhere earlier in the sentence: She looked at herself in the mirror. ♦ I sent her a photograph of herself. - after a singular noun or the pronoun "she" for emphasis: The Queen herself will be present.1) used for showing that the woman, girl, or female animal that does something is also affected by her action or is involved in itLizzie had locked herself in the bathroom.
She was humming a little tune to herself.
2) used for referring to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned in the sentenceHe asked her questions about herself and her family.
She knew that everyone had been invited except herself.
3)a) used for emphasizing that you are referring to a particular woman, girl, or female animal and not to anyone elseIt was Christina herself who told me that she was unhappy.
She sympathized with these poor people because of the way she herself had suffered.
b) used for emphasizing that a particular woman, girl, or female animal does something without help from anyone elseShe has enough money to pay for it herself.
•(all) by herself
— alone; without help from anyone elseAnnie's too young to travel by herself.
She lives all by herself in that big house.
He couldn't believe that Sally had organized the whole party by herself.
(all) to herself
— if a woman or girl has a place or time to herself, she is free to do what she wants without having to consider anyone elseEveryone had gone away, and she had the place to herself.
be/feel/seem herself
— if a woman or girl is herself, she is in her normal mental or physical stateBeth wasn't quite herself that evening.
She woke up refreshed, already feeling more herself.
English dictionary. 2014.