Self: meaning, definitions and examples

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self

 

[ sษ›lf ]

Pronoun / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Pronoun

referring to the subject of a sentence

A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action.

Synonyms

me, myself, ones own self, oneself, the author, the speaker

Examples of usage

  • I need to work on improving myself.
  • I can't believe I let myself down like that.
  • She is always true to herself.
Context #2 | Noun

individual's identity or character

One's own individuality or essence.

Synonyms

character, essence, identity, individuality, personality

Examples of usage

  • She has a strong sense of self.
  • He is confident in himself.

Translations

Translations of the word "self" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น eu mesmo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅเคตเคฏเค‚

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช selbst

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ diri sendiri

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฐะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ siebie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่‡ชๅˆ† (ใ˜ใถใ‚“)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท moi-mรชme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ yo mismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kendim

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ž์‹ 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ูุณูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sรกm

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sรกm

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่‡ชๅทฑ (zรฌjว)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sam

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sjรกlfur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำฉะทั–ะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ—แƒแƒ•แƒแƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รถzรผm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ yo mismo

Etymology

The word 'self' originated from Old English 'sylf', meaning 'one's own person, -self'. It has roots in Proto-Germanic and is related to the Dutch 'zelf' and the German 'selb'. The concept of self has been a topic of philosophical and psychological discussion for centuries, exploring the nature of individual identity and consciousness.

See also: selfhood, selfish, selfless, selflessly, selflessness, unselfish, unselfishly.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #398, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.