oneself

Archaic, one's self

[wuhn-self, wuhnz-]

pronoun

1. a person's self (used for emphasis or reflexively).

   One often hurts oneself accidentally.

oneself

/ wʌnˈsɛlf /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of one one

   2. (intensifier)

      one doesn't do that oneself

2. (preceded by a copula) one's normal or usual self

   one doesn't feel oneself after such an experience

Word History and Origins

Origin of oneself¹

First recorded in 1540–50; shortened form of one's self

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by oneself,

   1. without a companion; alone.

   2. through one's own efforts; unaided.

      to become a millionaire by oneself.

2. be oneself,

   1. to be in one's normal state of mind or physical condition.

   2. to be unaffected and sincere.

      One makes more friends by being oneself than by putting on airs.

3. come to oneself, Also come to one's self

   1. Also come to. to regain consciousness.

   2. to regain one's self-possession; come to one's senses.

see avail (oneself) of; be oneself; beside oneself; burn (oneself) out; by oneself; cover one's ass (oneself); crank (oneself) up; do oneself in; excuse me (oneself); exert oneself; explain oneself; express oneself; fall all over (oneself); feel like oneself; find oneself; flatter oneself; fling oneself at; forget oneself; full of oneself; get a grip on (oneself); give a good account of oneself; give of oneself; give (oneself) away; give oneself up; have oneself; hear oneself think; help oneself; keep to oneself; kick oneself; knock oneself out; law unto oneself; lay (oneself) open; leave (oneself) open; let (oneself) go; live with (oneself); lose oneself in; make a laughingstock of oneself; make a name for oneself; make an exhibition of oneself; make a nuisance of oneself; make a pig of oneself; make oneself at home; make oneself scarce; not oneself; paint oneself into a corner; plume oneself; pride oneself on; pull oneself together; pull oneself up; put oneself out; relieve oneself; repeat oneself; shift for oneself; shoot oneself in the foot; spread oneself too thin; suit oneself; sure of oneself; take it upon oneself; throw oneself at; tie oneself in knots; trouble one's head (oneself) about.

Example Sentences

One of the books he read this offseason, “Winning: The Unforgiving Race to Greatness” by Tim Grover, stresses the importance of maintaining a “neutral mindset,” never allowing oneself to get too high or too low emotionally.

From Los Angeles Times

In early episodes, Claire’s struggles to accept and control her situation allowed viewers to imagine what it might actually feel like to find oneself 200 years in the past.

From Los Angeles Times

"A child should not have to take medicine simply for having a bath. A process of getting oneself clean should not make them seriously ill," said Ms Huang.

From BBC

Carl Jung wrote, “Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.”

From Slate

It is easier, it turns out, to advertise oneself as a principled conservative who is willing to assert their independence even at the most difficult moments than it is to actually be someone willing to risk their own power, even to protect millions of their far less fortunate fellow citizens.

From Slate

Related Words

• character 
• ego 
• identity 
• individuality 
• myself 
• person 
• personality