Himself Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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himself
[hɪm'sɛlf ]
Definition
reflexive
Used to refer to the person being mentioned as the object of a verb or preposition when they are also the subject of the clause.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| himself |
Use when referring back to a male subject who is the doer of the action.
|
| him |
Use when referring to a male object of the verb or preposition.
|
| her |
Use when referring to a female object of the verb or preposition; also possessive as in 'her book'.
|
| them |
Use when referring to a plural object of the verb or preposition; can be used for both male and female.
|
| oneself |
Use in a generic sense when referring to an unspecified person (usually formally); can be used for both male and female.
|
Examples of usage
- He told himself he would never give up.
- She made the decision herself.
- They can take care of themselves.
- We need to rely on ourselves to succeed.
- The cat groomed himself.
Translations
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Origin of 'himself'
The word 'himself' originated from the Old English word 'him selfum', which meant 'himself'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to indicate a reflexive pronoun referring back to the subject of the sentence. The use of reflexive pronouns like 'himself' adds clarity and emphasis to the sentence structure.
See also: him.