DictionaryAI

yourself

pronoun
yuur-SELF/jʊɹˈsɛlf/UKyaw-SELF/jɔːˈsɛlf/

4 meanings of yourself

Practice

  1. 1
    pronounreflexive
    Used when the person doing something and the person it affects are both you.

    You should be proud of yourself.

    Don't blame yourself for the accident.

    UsageUse it when you do the action: don't hurt yourself. For two or more people, say yourselves.

    Note
  2. 2
    you personallypronounemphatic
    Used to stress that you did something personally, often with no help.

    You yourself saw what happened that night.

    Did you fix the car yourself?

    UsagePut it after you or at the end: did you make it yourself? It often means with no help.

    Note
  3. 3
    normal selfpronoun
    After words like be, feel or seem, it means you as you usually are.

    Don't try to act cool. Just be yourself.

    You don't seem yourself today. Are you okay?

    UsageMostly in phrases like be yourself and you're not yourself today.

    Note
  4. 4
    pronounnonstandardIreland
    Used to mean 'you', even when 'you' was not said earlier.

    Yourself and Mary can sit up at the front, so.

    Ah, how's yourself this morning, Seán?

    UsageOften with another person: Mary and yourself. In formal writing, say you.

    Similaryou

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English yourself, made from "your" plus "-self".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Yourself comes from Middle English yourself, formed from your plus -self. en.wiktionary.org