Adjacent Words

Myself definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

MYSELF', pron. A compound of my and self, used after I, to express emphasis, marking emphatically the distinction between the speaker and another person; as, I myself will do it; I have done it myself.
1. In the objective case, the reciprocal of I. I will defend myself.
2. It is sometimes used without I, particularly in poetry.
Myself shall mount the rostrum in his favor.

Merriam Webster's

pronoun Date: before 12th century 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> Usage: 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.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

pron. 1 emphat. form of I(2) or ME(1) (I saw it myself; I like to do it myself). 2 refl. form of ME(1) (I was angry with myself; able to dress myself; as bad as myself). 3 in my normal state of body and mind (I'm not myself today). 4 poet. = I(2). Phrases and idioms: by myself see by oneself. I myself I for my part (I myself am doubtful). Etymology: ME(1) + SELF: my- partly after herself with her regarded as poss. pron.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Myself My*self", pron.; pl. Ourselves. I or me in person; -- used for emphasis, my own self or person; as I myself will do it; I have done it myself; -- used also instead of me, as the object of the first person of a reflexive verb, without emphasis; as, I will defend myself.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. Note: 'Myself' is the first person singular reflexive pronoun. 1. A speaker or writer uses myself to refer to himself or herself. Myself is used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject refers to the same person. I asked myself what I would have done in such a situation... I looked at myself in the mirror... PRON: v PRON, prep PRON 2. You use myself to emphasize a first person singular subject. In more formal English, myself is sometimes used instead of 'me' as the object of a verb or preposition, for emphasis. I myself enjoy cinema, poetry, eating out and long walks... I'm fond of cake myself... PRON [emphasis] 3. If you say something such as 'I did it myself', you are emphasizing that you did it, rather than anyone else. 'Where did you get that embroidery?'—'I made it myself.' PRON [emphasis]