Ourselves: meaning, definitions and examples

👥
Add to dictionary

ourselves

 

[ ˌaʊərˈsɛlvz ]

Pronoun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Pronoun

reflexive

Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a group including the speaker and one or more other people previously mentioned or easily identified.

Synonyms

our own, ours, us

Examples of usage

  • We must learn to rely on ourselves in times of need.
  • Let's handle this situation by ourselves.
  • We owe it to ourselves to pursue our dreams.
Context #2 | Pronoun

emphatic

Used for emphasis or to point out that a person or people are doing something without help.

Synonyms

by ourselves, on our own, personally

Examples of usage

  • We painted the house ourselves.
  • She baked the cake herself.
  • They built the treehouse themselves.

Translations

Translations of the word "ourselves" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nós mesmos

🇮🇳 खुद

🇩🇪 uns selbst

🇮🇩 diri kita sendiri

🇺🇦 самі

🇵🇱 sami

🇯🇵 私たち自身

🇫🇷 nous-mêmes

🇪🇸 nosotros mismos

🇹🇷 kendimiz

🇰🇷 우리 자신

🇸🇦 أنفسنا

🇨🇿 sami

🇸🇰 sami

🇨🇳 我们自己

🇸🇮 mi sami

🇮🇸 sjálfir

🇰🇿 өзіміз

🇬🇪 ჩვენ თვითონ

🇦🇿 özümüz

🇲🇽 nosotros mismos

Etymology

The word 'ourselves' is derived from the Old English word 'ūre selfa', which means 'our own self'. It has been used in the English language for centuries, evolving from Middle English to its modern form. The pronoun 'ourselves' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate a reflexive or emphatic action by a group of people including the speaker.

See also: our, ours.