# oneself

/ˌwənˈsɛɫf/ (US) · /wɒnsˈɛlf/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Pronoun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oneself
Updated: 2026-05-05

## Definition

a formal way to say 'yourself' or 'himself' when talking about any person. You use it to avoid naming a specific gender or person.

For teachers: a reflexive pronoun used for indefinite or generic subjects, replacing gender-specific forms like 'himself' or 'herself'.

## Examples

- The philosopher argued that true self-knowledge requires one to examine oneself without bias or external influence.

## Usage notes

- Used with indefinite pronouns like 'everyone', 'someone', or 'one'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.