Word
herself
Phoneticsher·self, stress on the second syllable
US/hɝˈsɛɫf/
UK/hɜːsˈɛlf/
Definitions
01reflexive use
A2 · Elementary
pron. you use this when the woman or girl doing the action is also the one receiving the action.
pron. the reflexive form of the third-person feminine pronoun, used as the object of a verb or preposition when it refers to the same person as the subject.
“She looked at herself in the mirror before leaving the house.”
“The scientist found herself questioning the initial results after the second round of testing failed to produce the expected outcome.”
Usage
Used as a direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition.
Pitfall
She bought a gift for she.
She bought a gift for herself.
Use 'herself' when the person receiving the action is the same person who performed it.
02emphasis
B1 · Intermediate
pron. you use this to emphasize that a specific woman did something alone or personally.
pron. an intensive pronoun used to emphasize the female subject or object, often to highlight that the action was performed without help.
“The queen herself signed the document to show its importance.”
“Although she had a large staff, the director herself conducted the final interviews to ensure the candidates fit the company culture.”
Usage
Often placed immediately after the noun it emphasizes or at the end of the clause.
Synonyms
03the woman in charge
C1 · Advanced Dialect · British English · Humorous
pron. a way to refer to the woman of the house or a female boss, sometimes showing respect or being a bit funny.
pron. used as a subject or object to refer to a woman of high status or the female head of a household.
Español:ella misma
“Is herself at home today, or has she gone to the market?”
“The staff whispered that herself was in a foul mood, so everyone made sure to stay out of the main office.”
Teaching tip
This usage is most common in Irish and some British dialects; it can sound sarcastic if used to describe someone acting too important.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“An Australian athlete who faced criticism for continuing to compete in a Hyrox event after soiling herself has apologised and said she will retroactively withdraw from the race.” “She said she wants to show a more serious side to herself than the bubbly blonde persona she was known for when she first became famous in the late 1990s.” “A woman who spent 20 years saving for her dream wedding has thrown herself her own big day after not meeting the right partner.” “Meloni herself praised Mussolini in her youth but has since changed her stance, repeatedly condemning the infamous racist, anti-Jewish laws enacted by the dictator in 1938 and stating she had "never felt any sympathy for fascism".” Etymology
From Middle English. Equivalent to her + -self.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/herself
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0