themselves
/ð(ə)mˈsɛlvz
/pronoun [third person plural]
1 [reflexive] Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a group of people or things previously mentioned as the subject of the clause: countries unable to look after themselves...
- Patients should be able to refer themselves to a specialist in such circumstances.
- Many people currently describe themselves as students or teachers of the subject.
- Can she and her ex-husband save themselves and their young son from certain death?
2 [emphatic] Used to emphasize a particular group of people or things mentioned: excellent at organizing others, they may well be disorganized themselves...
- Computers are made out of materials which are themselves subject to the laws of Nature.
- They are thus able to remain objects of desire without themselves being subject to it.
- What annoys me most about the whole subject is the attitude of a lot of smokers themselves.
3 [singular] Used instead of ‘himself’ or ‘herself’ to refer to a person of unspecified sex: anyone who fancies themselves as a racing driver...
- Anyone prepared to put themselves forward as a leader there is taking their life in their hands.
- All of which is hugely depressing to anyone who still considers themselves part of the left.
- Very seldom would anyone put themselves through all of this just for a few quid.
Usage
On the use of themselves in the singular to mean ‘himself or herself’, see they (usage).
Phrases
(not) be themselves
by themselves
Rhymes
- in ordinary
- inordinate
- inordinately
- in (or for) perpetuity
- inorganic
- inorganically
- inorganic chemistry
- in (or in the) spirit
- in (or into) force
- in (or into) gear
- in (or into) reverse
- in (or into) smoke
- in (or into) the groove
- in orle
- in (or like) a flash
- in (or of) a twitter
- in (or on) form
- in (or out of) character
- in (or out of) circulation
- in (or out of) condition
- in (or out of) contention
- in (or out of) fashion
- in (or out of) favour
- in (or out of) keeping with
- in (or out of) key