Meaning

(reflexive pronoun) Her; the female object of a verb or preposition that also appears as the subject..

Definitions by Sense

1. (reflexive pronoun) Her; the female object of a verb or preposition that also appears as the subject.
2. (emphatic) She; an intensifier of the female subject or object, often used to indicate the directness or exclusiveness of that person .
3. (Ireland) The subject or non-reflexive object of a predicate; she (used of upper-class ladies, or sarcastically, of women who imagine themselves to be more important than others)

Example Sentences

She injured herself.

This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless, she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything. In a moment she had dropped to the level of a casual labourer.

Lizzo, who is known for messages of self-love and wider acceptance, has recently said as much as she shared that she is encouraging a stance of body neutrality for herself and others.

She was injured herself.

What's herself up to this time?

Have you seen herself yet this morning?

Was anyone hurted? Sure, they were just trailin' theirselves off the ground. Ye wud have died larfin'. There's Jimmy Hanlon was never his own man since, and I had me nose broke on me—I find it yet—and some says there was a wee girl from Tanderagee got herself killed.

Word Forms

• she
• himself
• itself
• themself
• themselves
• Herself

Related Words

When Should You Use Herself?

Use herself when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions