self
SEHLF
Self (noun) means a person's own individual character, personality, or identity. Example: “Travel helped her discover a more confident self.”
noun
1
A person's own individual character, personality, or identity.
"Travel helped her discover a more confident self."
"He felt like his old self again after the holiday."
"After weeks of rest, she was back to her usual self."
pron
1
Used informally in place of "myself," "himself," "herself," etc., especially in casual notes or business shorthand.
"Cheque payable to self."
"Please make the cheque out to self and sign it."
"The note on the expenses form simply said: reimburse self."
How to use self
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe core identity or personality that makes someone who they are.
Common pairings
true self
sense of self
former self
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Word forms
- Plural
- selves, selfs
- Third person singular
- selfs
- Past tense
- selfed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Travel helped her discover a more confident _____.
Etymology
From Old English self/seolf, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "one's own," shared with German selbst and Dutch zelf.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for self
See all rhymes for self →Frequently asked questions
What does “self” mean?
The word “self” means a person's own individual character, personality, or identity. In plain terms, the core identity or personality that makes someone who they are.
How do you pronounce “self”?
“Self” is pronounced SEHLF (/ˈsɛlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “self” in a sentence?
Here is “self” used in a sentence: “Travel helped her discover a more confident self.”
What is another word for “self”?
Words with a similar meaning to “self” include cyberself, herself, himself, itself, myself and non-self.
What is the opposite of “self”?
The opposite of “self” — its antonyms — are nonself and outcross.
What part of speech is “self”?
Depending on how it is used, “self” can be a noun and a pronoun.
Where does the word “self” come from?
The word “self” comes from Old English. From Old English self/seolf, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "one's own," shared with German selbst and Dutch zelf.
Is “self” a common word?
“Self” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between the self and the ego?
The self is your whole individual identity — the character, personality, and sense of who you are. The ego, in everyday speech, is your sense of self-importance or pride. In psychology it names the part of the mind that balances desires against reality. The self is the whole; the ego is one aspect of it.
What is the difference between self and identity?
The two are closely linked. The self is the whole person you experience yourself to be from the inside — your character and inner life. Identity is how that self is defined and labelled, both by you and by others, through things like name, role, culture, and beliefs. Identity gives the self its outward shape.
Can the self change over time?
Yes. Although people feel like the same person throughout life, personality, values, and identity naturally develop with age and experience. Major events, relationships, and choices can all reshape how you see yourself. Psychologists agree the self is not fixed but evolves, while usually keeping a recognisable thread of continuity.
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