Herself: meaning, definitions and examples

Secondary reference for the previously mentioned context, emphasizing self-action or involvement.

• She taught herself to play the guitar.
• She treated herself to a nice dinner.

Used to indicate possession or something that belongs to the female.

• This book is hers.
• The choice is hers to make.

Used in formal or specific contexts to differentiate a female individual from a male or non-gender-specific individual.

• The female person admitted to the mistake.
• In this study, we observed the behavior of the female person.

Used in biological or veterinary contexts to refer specifically to a female of a species.

• The female animal is often responsible for nurturing the young.
• The female animal was separated for medical treatment.

Used as a reflexive pronoun similar to the first entry, but can also be used to emphasize the female subject's effort or role in the action.

• She cooked dinner all by herself
• She found herself lost in thought

A possessive pronoun indicating that something belongs to or is associated with a female person previously mentioned.

• This book is hers
• The car over there, it's hers

Used in more formal or scientific contexts to refer specifically to a female human being, often in medical, sociological, or legal discussions.

• The female person has different nutritional needs
• The symptoms presented by the female person were different from those of the male person

Refers specifically to a female animal in discussions of wildlife, biology, or in contexts where distinguishing between male and female animals is important.

• The female animal protects her young
• The female animal is often smaller than the male