What does self mean?
Self is a flexible English word whose central meaning concerns a person in relation to themselves. As a pronoun, it refers to the speaker or subject, usually for emphasis or reflexivity: “She was proud of herself,” or “He did it himself.” As a noun, it can denote a person's identity, character, or inner life, especially in reflective or artistic contexts. Self also functions as a prefix meaning “of or concerning oneself,” producing common words such as self-control, self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness. These compounds often describe a capacity or condition judged in relation to a person's own mind or behavior. In older and literary English, self can also mean “by oneself,” although “by himself” or “by herself” is more usual today. The word is unremarkable in ordinary speech but remarkably productive in compound forms, where it can express inwardness, independence, possession, or self-direction. Its meanings all revolve around the idea of a person viewed as the subject of their own actions and perceptions.
Refers to the speaker or subject in a reflexive or emphatic construction.
"She made the decision entirely by herself."
Especially common in the forms myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
One's own person, character, identity, or individuality.
"The novelist's work explores the divided self."
This sense is common in philosophical, psychological, and artistic discussion, but may sound abstract in casual conversation.
Of, relating to, or intended for oneself; commonly used as the first element of a compound.
"The letter needs a self-addressed envelope."
Modern usage is chiefly as a hyphenated prefix, as in self-aware, self-made, or self-employed.
By oneself; alone.
"He lived self, apart from his family."
Chiefly literary or archaic; modern English normally uses an emphatic pronoun such as himself or herself.
The plural form is standard for the reflexive pronoun and for the noun in senses referring to people's identities or characters. The possessive is written self's.
"The performers revealed their true selves during the final scene."
Long before self became a way of saying “oneself,” it was an adjective meaning “same”—a small shift in meaning that produced one of English's most useful words.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does self come from?
The English word descends from Old English self, which could mean “oneself” and existed as an adjective meaning “same” or “very.” It continues Proto-Germanic *selfaną and has cognates in Dutch zelf, German selbst, and Swedish själv. Modern forms such as selfish, selfless, and selfsame developed within English from this inherited base.
Related word forms
How self is actually used
Self is standard in British and American English. In formal writing, an emphatic reflexive pronoun is often avoided in favor of a stronger construction, such as “She repeated the claim herself.” As a prefix, self- is usually hyphenated when it combines with a following word, as in self-aware, self-control, or self-made.