himself

UK: elided: /ɪmˈsɛlf/, full: /hɪmˈsɛlf/

US: /hɪmˈsɛlf/

US: (him self′; medially often im self′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

him•self /hɪmˈsɛlf/   pron. 

1. Pronouns the form of the pronoun he, a reflexive pronoun, used to show that the subject of the sentence and this pronoun (a direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition) refer to the same male person:
   John cut himself (= John cut John). He wrote himself a note. He felt a conflict within himself.
2. (used to give emphasis to a male noun in the sentence and to point out something special about that person):
   He himself told me. He took the subway there himself.
3. Pronouns (used in place of he or him in various constructions where it is clear from some previous discussion who the male is):
   The producer and himself were involved (= The producer and some male we were talking about recently were involved).
4. his normal or customary self:
   He is himself again.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

him•self  (him self′; medially often im self′), pron. 

1. an emphatic appositive of him or he: He himself spoke to the men.
2. a reflexive form of him: He cut himself.
3. (used in absolute constructions):
   Himself the soul of honor, he included many rascals among his intimates.
4. (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.
5. (used in comparisons after as or than):
   His wife is as stingy as himself.
6. his normal or customary self:
   He is himself again.
7. British Terms [Irish Eng.] a man of importance, esp. the master of the house:
   Himself will be wanting an early dinner.

• bef. 900; Middle English him selven, Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self he himself; see him, self

Usage

See myself. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

himself / hɪmˈsɛlf (medially often) ɪmˈsɛlf/ pronoun

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

Etymology: Old English him selfum, dative singular of hē self; see he¹, self