himself

[ him-self; medially im-self ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

pronoun

an emphatic appositive of him or he ¹:
He himself spoke to the men.
a reflexive form of him:
He cut himself.
(used in absolute constructions):
Himself the soul of honor, he included many rascals among his intimates.
(used as the object of a preposition or as the direct or indirect object of a verb):
The old car had room only for himself and three others.
(used in comparisons after as or than ):
His wife is as stingy as himself.
his normal or customary self:
He is himself again.
Irish English. a man of importance, especially the master of the house:
Himself will be wanting an early dinner.

himself

/ ɪmˈsɛlf; hɪmˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. the reflexive form of he or him
2. (intensifier)
  the king himself waved to me
preceded by a copula his normal or usual self
he seems himself once more
the man of the house
how is himself?

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Usage Note

See myself.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of himself¹

before 900; Middle English him selven, Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self he himself; him, self

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Word History and Origins

Origin of himself¹

Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self; see he ¹, self

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He is a billionaire New York real estate developer and long-time confidant of Trump - who himself is not a traditional president.

From

At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the then Prince of Wales found himself unexpectedly shaking hands with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

From

He acknowledged there had been a "falling out" between himself and Lancaster, but said it was over "whether an orchid should stay on a bowl of soup or not".

From

Joe uses love as a weapon to absolve himself of his own worst impulses.

From

The funeral of Pope Francis will be simpler than those of previous popes, following instructions he set out himself.

From

Hims Himyarite

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