What does herself mean?
“Herself” is a reflexive pronoun used to refer to a female subject. When used reflexively, it shows that the subject performs an action on herself, as in “She cut herself while preparing dinner.” It can also emphasize independence or personal agency: “She organized the conference herself.” The word is used in both British and American English and is especially common in formal writing, though it also appears naturally in everyday speech. Its construction combines a female possessive pronoun with “self,” making the backward reference explicit. “Herself” is not a synonym for “she” in every context; it adds either a reflexive connection or emphasis. For a referent whose gender is not specified, “themselves” is usually the more suitable form. Although the pronoun is traditionally associated with female grammatical gender, its use varies with the referent and the speaker’s sense of gender, and neutral alternatives are increasingly preferred.
reflexive pronounA reflexive and emphatic pronoun used to refer back to a female subject. It can show that the subject performs an action on herself or emphasize that she does something independently or in her own right.
- A reflexive pronoun referring to a female subject who performs an action on herself.
- An emphatic pronoun referring to a female subject independently or in her own right.
"She taught herself to play the violin."
"She found herself wondering how she had gotten there."
"The director was quite capable of handling the decision herself."
Like a mirror, “herself” points the action back at the woman doing it: she acts on herself, or emphatically acts for herself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does herself come from?
“Herself” developed in Middle English by combining the female possessive form “her” with the Old English word “self.” Its components follow the same broad historical development as the modern pronouns “she” and “her,” whose older forms were distinct in grammatical function. The compound uses “self” in the sense of the person concerned, ultimately giving the modern word its reflexive and emphatic functions.
How herself is actually used
In standard modern English, “herself” is generally used for a female referent; “themselves” is commonly used when gender is unspecified or when referring to a nonbinary person. The intensifying use is especially common in formal and careful prose.