itself */*/*/

itself */*/*/
UK [ɪtˈself] / US pronoun
Summary:

Itself is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of it. It can be used especially in the following ways: - as an object that refers to the same thing that is the subject of the sentence or that was mentioned earlier in the sentence: The machine switches itself off when it has finished printing. ♦ The civil war divided the country against itself. - after a singular noun or pronoun for emphasis: The document itself is divided into three parts. ♦ That itself is the problem.
1) used for showing that a thing, group, animal, or baby that does something is also affected by the action or is involved in it

It will be several months before the young bird can feed itself.

Can the government in Freetown defend itself against rebel attacks?

2) used for referring back to something already mentioned in the same sentence

Roosevelt's reforms were designed to save American capitalism from itself.

We want to create a society that is at ease with itself.

3) used for emphasizing that you are referring to a particular thing and not to anything else

The problem lies in the software and not in the computer itself.

Before we begin the ceremony itself, there are one or two things I should explain.

4) used for saying that someone or something has a lot of a particular quality

The nurses had been kindness itself to Leonora.

Applying online is simplicity itself.

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(all) by itself — not near any others; without help, or without being made to do something; used for showing that one particular thing is the only thing involved

His house stood by itself on the edge of the village.

The door opens by itself as you approach it.

The baby will soon be able to stand up all by itself.

Nuclear power by itself cannot provide for all our energy needs.

in itself/of itself — used for emphasizing that what you are saying about one particular thing is true without even considering anything else

Some of the medicines were out of date, which was in itself dangerous.

Using someone else's name is not of itself a crime, unless there is an intention to commit a fraud.

(all) to itself — not shared with others

This is such a complex matter that it is given a chapter to itself.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • itself — it*self ([i^]t*s[e^]lf ), pron. The neuter reflexive pronoun of {It}; as, the thing is good in itself; it stands by itself. [1913 Webster] Borrowing of foreigners, in itself, makes not the kingdom rich or poor. Locke. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • itself — ► PRONOUN (third person sing. ) 1) (reflexive ) used to refer to something previously mentioned as the subject of the clause: his horse hurt itself. 2) (emphatic ) used to emphasize a particular thing or animal mentioned. ● in itself Cf. ↑in… …   English terms dictionary

  • itself — [it self′] pron. a form of IT1, used: a) as an intensifier [the work itself is easy] b) as a reflexive [the dog bit itself] c) with the meaning “its real, true, or normal self” [the bird is not itself today ]: in this construction, it functions… …   English World dictionary

  • itself — late 14c., from O.E. hit sylf, from IT (Cf. it) + SELF (Cf. self). Since 17c. usually regarded as its self (Cf. its own self) …   Etymology dictionary

  • itself — it|self [ ıt self ] pronoun *** Itself is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of it. It can be used especially in the following ways: as an object that refers to the same thing that is the subject of the sentence or that was mentioned… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • itself — [[t]ɪtse̱lf[/t]] ♦ 1) PRON REFL: v PRON, prep PRON Itself is used as the object of a verb or preposition when it refers to something that is the same thing as the subject of the verb. Scientists have discovered remarkable new evidence showing how …   English dictionary

  • itself — it|self W1S1 [ıtˈself] pron [reflexive form of it ] 1.) used to show that a thing, organization, animal, or baby that does something is affected by its own action ▪ The cat lay on the sofa, washing itself. ▪ The machine switches itself off when… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • itself — /It self/ pronoun 1 the reflexive form of it: The cat lay on the sofa, washing itself. | It is generally felt that the government has made an idiot of itself. 2 used to emphasize the pronoun it : We ve checked the wiring and the aerial so the… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • itself*/*/*/ — [ɪtˈself] pronoun 1) the REFLEXIVE form of ‘it , used for showing that an action affects the thing that does the action The young bird cannot feed itself.[/ex] The government needs to defend itself against these attacks.[/ex] 2) used for… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • itself — /it self /, pron. 1. a reflexive form of it: The battery recharges itself. 2. an emphatic appositive of it, which, that, this, or a noun: which itself is also true; Even without flowers, the bowl itself is beautiful. 3. (used as the object of a… …   Universalium

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