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themselves

[thuhm-selvz, them-]

pronoun

  1. a reflexive form of plural they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

    They washed themselves quickly. The painters gave themselves a week to finish the work. The noisy passengers drew attention to themselves.

  2. an emphatic form of them or they.

    The authors themselves left the theater. The contract was written by the partners themselves.

  3. a reflexive form of singular they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

    1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      No one who ignores the law can call themselves a good citizen.

    2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      I want to help my friend who is harming themselves.

    3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      Ash introduced themselves to the job recruiter.

  4. (used in place of they or them after as, than, orbut ).

    no soldiers braver than themselves; As for the entertainers, everyone got paid but themselves.

  5. their usual, normal, characteristic selves.

    After a hot meal and a few hours' rest, they were themselves again.



themselves

/ ðəˈɛ /

pronoun

    1. the reflexive form of they or them

    2. (intensifier)

      the team themselves voted on it

  1. (preceded by a copula) their normal or usual selves

    they don't seem themselves any more

  2. Also: themself.not_standarda reflexive form of an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

    everyone has to look after themselves

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

See myself, they.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of themselves1

First recorded in 1300–50; them + selves; replacing themself, Middle English thamself; self
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The positive energy around the club was further fuelled by a successful week for the British contingent, who quickly made themselves at home.

From

The vast majority of patients admitted as John Does leave as themselves.

From

In times of crisis, giving kids the chance to express themselves by participating in the moment helps them process their feelings, Brymer said.

From

But here's the thing: Invasive species don't stop evolving themselves.

From

But the facts about brutal expansionism in the West Bank and mass death in Gaza speak for themselves.

From

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themselfthem's fighting words