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Definition himself in British English

himself pronoun

pronoun
strong /hɪmˈself/ weak /ɪmˈself/

Himself is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of he. It is used especially in the following ways:

as an object that refers to the same male who is the subject of the sentence or who is mentioned somewhere earlier in the sentence: He had prepared himself for this important meeting.Clive was feeling rather pleased with himself.I asked him a few questions about himself.Florian’s wife was, like himself, a refugee.

after a singular noun or the pronoun ‘he’ for emphasis: a suggestion that came from the president himself

1

used for showing that the man, boy, or male animal that does something is also affected by his action or is involved in it

Example

William slipped once, but he didn't hurt himself.

Example

That man ought to be ashamed of himself.

Synonyms and related words
2

used for referring to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned in the sentence

Example

Lester's book is mostly about himself.

Example

Julian showed us a picture of himself with his former wife.

Synonyms and related words
3

used in a general way for referring to the subject of a sentence or someone else mentioned in the sentence when they may be either male or female, especially when the subject is a word such as 'everyone', 'someone', or 'anyone'

Example

Everyone has to look after himself.

Synonyms and related words
4

used for emphasizing that you are referring to a particular man, boy, or male animal and not to anyone else

Example

It is said that Shakespeare himself once acted in this play.

Example

Being an ex-police officer himself, Dawlish understands why so many cops are angry.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

used for emphasizing that a particular man, boy, or male animal does something without help from anyone else

Example

You mean to tell me Jack built the whole cabin himself?

Synonyms and related words
Definition himself in British English