# themselves

Pronunciation: say "them-SELVZ" /ðɛmˈsɛlvz/

## Pronoun

1. Refers back to a plural subject already mentioned, when the same group is the object of a verb or follows a preposition; also used for emphasis.
   - Simple: Used for a group of people or things that do something to or for that same group.
   - _The senators voted to give themselves a generous raise._
   - _After the storm, the neighbors rebuilt the fence themselves._
2. Refers back to a single person already mentioned, as the object of a verb or following a preposition; also used for emphasis.
   - Simple: Used for one person already named, when that same person both does an action and receives it.
   - _Each applicant should email themselves a copy of the completed form._
   - _Whoever broke the window should turn themselves in to the office._

## Origin

Formed from "them" combined with "-selves".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/themselves (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).