itself
iht-SEHLF
Itself (pron) means used to refer back to a thing that is both the subject and the object of the same action. Example: “The cat cleaned itself after the meal.”
pron
1
Used to refer back to a thing that is both the subject and the object of the same action.
"The cat cleaned itself after the meal."
"The company reorganized itself after the merger."
"The heating switches itself off when the room gets warm enough."
2
Used for emphasis, to stress that something acted alone or that a quality applies purely to the thing named.
"The problem itself was simple, but explaining it took hours."
"The engine itself was fine — it was the wiring that failed."
"The house itself is quite small, but the garden is wonderful."
How to use itself
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA reflexive/emphatic pronoun used when "it" is doing something to or referring back to itself.
Common mistake
Don't use "itself" as a subject on its own ("Itself is broken") — it must refer back to a noun already mentioned or about to be mentioned.
Common pairings
by itself
in itself
itself the cause
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Word forms
- Plural
- themselves
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat cleaned _____ after the meal.
Etymology
From Middle English hit self, built from "it" plus the reflexive suffix "-self", the same pattern seen in "himself" and "herself".
Synonyms
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itsself
Frequently asked questions
What does “itself” mean?
The word “itself” means used to refer back to a thing that is both the subject and the object of the same action. In plain terms, a reflexive/emphatic pronoun used when "it" is doing something to or referring back to itself.
How do you pronounce “itself”?
“Itself” is pronounced iht-SEHLF (/ɪtˈsɛlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “itself” in a sentence?
Here is “itself” used in a sentence: “The cat cleaned itself after the meal.”
What is another word for “itself”?
Words with a similar meaning to “itself” include itsself.
What part of speech is “itself”?
“Itself” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “itself” come from?
The word “itself” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hit self, built from "it" plus the reflexive suffix "-self", the same pattern seen in "himself" and "herself".
Is “itself” a common word?
“Itself” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “itself” have?
“Itself” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to refer back to a thing that is both the subject and the object of the same action.
When do you use 'itself' in a sentence?
Use itself when a thing acts on or refers back to the same thing — "the cat cleaned itself" or "the problem solved itself." It is the reflexive form of "it," used for animals, objects, and ideas. It can also add emphasis, as in "the house itself was fine," stressing the thing just mentioned.
What is the difference between 'its' and 'itself'?
"Its" shows possession — something belonging to it, as in "the dog wagged its tail." "Itself" is reflexive, pointing back to the subject, as in "the dog hurt itself." One marks ownership, the other marks an action that loops back on the thing doing it. Neither word takes an apostrophe.
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