him·self
Pronounced:
/hɪmˈsɛlf/
Function:
pronounMeaning:
1 : that same man, boy, or male animal: a —used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a man, boy, or male animal that has already been mentioned ▪ He accidentally cut himself while shaving. ▪ He bought himself a new wallet. = He bought a new wallet for himself. ▪ He doesn't consider himself old. = He doesn't think of himself as (being) old. ▪ The cat washed himself. ▪ He wrote a note to himself. ▪ He had the house (all) to himself. [=he was alone in the house] ▪ “It's almost morning,” he said to himself. ▪ He wanted to see it for himself. [=he wanted to see it rather than have someone tell him about it, describe it to him, etc.] b —used for emphasis to refer again to a man, boy, or male animal that has already been mentioned ▪ He told me himself that he was broke. = He himself told me (that) he was broke. ▪ He reminded them that he was young once himself. ▪ The proposal was made by the governor himself. ▪ The composer himself conducted the symphony.
2 : that same person —used to indicate either a male or female object of a verb or preposition ▪ Everyone must fend for himself. [=all people must fend for themselves] ◊This use of himself was common in the past but is now often avoided because it is considered sexist.
3 : his normal or healthy self ▪ After a good night's sleep, he felt like himself again. ▪ He's not himself today; something must be bothering him. ▪ He was nervous about meeting them, but I told him to just be himself. [=to behave like he normally does]
2 : that same person —used to indicate either a male or female object of a verb or preposition ▪ Everyone must fend for himself. [=all people must fend for themselves] ◊This use of himself was common in the past but is now often avoided because it is considered sexist.
3 : his normal or healthy self ▪ After a good night's sleep, he felt like himself again. ▪ He's not himself today; something must be bothering him. ▪ He was nervous about meeting them, but I told him to just be himself. [=to behave like he normally does]
by himself
1 : without any help from other people ▪ He shoveled the driveway by himself. ▪ He did his homework (all) by himself.
2 : with nobody else : alone ▪ He lives in the house by himself. ▪ He likes to travel by himself.
2 : with nobody else : alone ▪ He lives in the house by himself. ▪ He likes to travel by himself.
every man for himself —see 1man