 |
| |||||||||
him‧self S1 W1
[reflexive form of 'he']
[reflexive form of 'he']1XX
a) used to show that the man or boy who does something is affected by his own action : 
In despair, the young boy had hanged himself.His name is James but he calls himself Jim. He poured himself a glass of orange juice.
In despair, the young boy had hanged himself.His name is James but he calls himself Jim.He poured himself a glass of orange juice.b) used after words such as 'everyone', 'anyone', and 'someone' to talk about people in general being affected by their own actions : Everyone should learn to respect himself.
Everyone should learn to respect himself.2
a) used to emphasize that you are talking about one particular man or boy : It was the President himself who opened the door. It must be true - he said so himself.
It was the President himself who opened the door.It must be true - he said so himself.b) used after 'like', 'as', or 'except' instead of 'him' : The other passengers were all refugees like himself.
The other passengers were all refugees like himself.3
(all) by himself
a) alone : He's lived by himself since his wife died. Winston was sitting all by himself.
He's lived by himself since his wife died.Winston was sitting all by himself.b) without help from anyone else : It was the first time he felt he had achieved something by himself.
It was the first time he felt he had achieved something by himself.4 if a man or boy is not himself, he does not feel or behave as he usually does, for example because he is upset or ill : Rick hasn't seemed himself lately.
not be/feel/seem himself
informalRick hasn't seemed himself lately.5 if a man or boy has something to himself, he does not have to share it with anyone else : John at last had a bedroom all to himself.
have something (all) to himself
John at last had a bedroom all to himself.