What does myself mean?
“Myself” is a first-person singular reflexive pronoun that refers to the person speaking or writing. It is used when an action affects or involves the subject, as in “I taught myself,” and when a person wants to emphasize personal involvement, as in “I myself wrote the letter.” The phrase “by myself” means alone or without assistance, whereas “myself and others” contrasts the speaker with other people. Although “me” is sometimes used informally in emphatic constructions, “myself” is the more precise form in formal and written English. Its distinctive structure allows a sentence to refer back to its subject while also giving the speaker a sense of personal focus, responsibility, or independence.
pronounA first-person singular reflexive pronoun used to refer to the speaker or writer, especially when the subject and object are the same person. It is also used for emphasis, especially in phrases such as “I myself” or “myself and others.”
- Reflexive use referring to the subject of the clause.
- Emphatic use referring to the speaker or writer personally.
- In the expression “myself and others,” an inclusive or personally focused reference.
"She completed the project by herself."
"I found the answer myself."
"When the invitation arrived, I myself opened it and read the note."
Say “myself” and the sentence turns back on its speaker: it can mean that the speaker did something alone, personally, or with special emphasis.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does myself come from?
“Myself” is a compound formed from the first-person object form “me” and “self,” meaning the person in question. “Self” continues Old English “seof” and has cognates in other Germanic languages, including German “selbst” and Dutch “zelf.” The combination is Middle English in origin and developed into its modern reflexive and emphatic uses.
How myself is actually used
The form is especially common in formal and written English. “By myself” means alone, while “myself” used after a subject often emphasizes personal responsibility, presence, or viewpoint. In everyday speech, “me” may replace “myself” in some emphatic contexts, but “myself” is standard in careful usage.
Easily confused with myself
“Me” is the ordinary object form used in constructions such as “call me,” while “myself” is a reflexive form that refers back to the subject and often adds emphasis.