myself

pronoun

my·​self mī-ˈself How to pronounce myself (audio)
mə-,
 Southern also  -ˈsef
1
: that identical one that is I
used reflexively
I'm going to get myself a new suit
, for emphasis
I myself will go
, or in absolute constructions
myself a tourist, I nevertheless avoided other tourists
2
: my normal, healthy, or sane condition
didn't feel myself yesterday
Using Myself in Place of I or Me: Usage Guide

Myself is often used where I or me might be expected: as subject

to wonder what myself will say Emily Dickinson
others and myself continued to press for the legislation

, after as, than, or like

an aversion to paying such people as myself to tutor
was enough to make a better man than myself quail
old-timers like myself

, and as object.

now here you see myself with the diver
for my wife and myself it was a happy time

Such uses almost always occur when the speaker or writer is referring to himself or herself as an object of discourse rather than as a participant in discourse. The other reflexive personal pronouns are similarly but less frequently used in the same circumstances. Critics have frowned on these uses since about the turn of the century, probably unaware that they serve a definite purpose. Users themselves are as unaware as the critics—they simply follow their instincts. These uses are standard.

Examples of myself in a Sentence

I'm not myself today. I just don't feel right.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of myself was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near myself

Cite this Entry

“Myself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myself. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

myself

pronoun
my·​self mī-ˈself How to pronounce myself (audio)
mə-
1
: the one that is I
used for emphasis or to show that the subject and object of the verb are the same
I'll go myself
I'm going to get myself a new hobby
2
: my normal or healthy self
didn't feel myself yesterday

More from Merriam-Webster on myself

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!