oneself

one-self · pronoun

imported

Definitions

pronoun

  1. 1.

    (reflexive) Used as the object of a verb or preposition when "one" is the subject, referring to any person in general.

  2. 2.

    (emphatic) Used to emphasize that a person does something personally or alone.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    by oneself — alone, without others
  • •
    be oneself — to act naturally without pretense
  • •
    keep to oneself — to remain private or solitary

Related words

See also: herself, himself, itself, yourself
Synonyms: one's own person, yourself

Etymology

From English one + self, formed as the reflexive pronoun corresponding to the indefinite pronoun "one." This formal construction has been used since Middle English.