itself

UK: /ɪtˈsɛlf/ US: /ɪtˈsɛlf/ ,(it self′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

it•self /ɪtˈsɛlf/   pron. 

1. Pronouns This pronoun, a reflexive form of it,is used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition to refer to the same thing as the subject:
   The battery recharges itself (= The battery recharges the same battery). The bird built a nest for itself.
2. This pronoun is used to give emphasis to a noun or pronoun, not a person:
   which itself is a fact; The land itself was not for sale.
3. This pronoun is used to refer to the normal or usual self (when not a person):
   The injured cat was never quite itself again.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

it•self  (it self′), pron. 

1. a reflexive form of it: The battery recharges itself.
2. an emphatic appositive of it, which, that, this, or a noun:
   which itself is also true; Even without flowers, the bowl itself is beautiful.
3. (used as the object of a preposition or as the direct or indirect object of a verb):
   The chameleon's ability to change color is a protection for itself.
4. its normal or customary self:
   After much tender care, the puppy was soon itself again.

• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English hit self. See it¹, self

Usage

See myself. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

itself / ɪtˈsɛlf/ pronoun

1. the reflexive form of it1
2. (intensifier): even the money itself won't convince me
3. (preceded by a copula) its normal or usual self: my cat isn't itself today