themselves

[thuhm-selvz, them-]

pronoun

1. a reflexive form of plural they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

   They washed themselves quickly. The painters gave themselves a week to finish the work. The noisy passengers drew attention to themselves.

2. an emphatic form of them or they.

   The authors themselves left the theater. The contract was written by the partners themselves.

3. a reflexive form of singular they used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      No one who ignores the law can call themselves a good citizen.

   2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      I want to help my friend who is harming themselves.

   3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      Ash introduced themselves to the job recruiter.

4. (used in place of they or them after as, than, orbut ).

   no soldiers braver than themselves; As for the entertainers, everyone got paid but themselves.

5. their usual, normal, characteristic selves.

   After a hot meal and a few hours' rest, they were themselves again.

themselves

/ ðəmˈsɛlvz /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of they or them

   2. (intensifier)

      the team themselves voted on it

2. (preceded by a copula) their normal or usual selves

   they don't seem themselves any more

3. Also: themself. not_standard,  a reflexive form of an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

   everyone has to look after themselves

Usage

See myself, they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of themselves¹

First recorded in 1300–50; them + selves; replacing themself, Middle English thamself; self

Example Sentences

Now playing with a stiff breeze at their backs, the Scots needed the next score to haul themselves back into the match.

From BBC

And experts question a strategy that has been tried before, both by the United States and regional governments, of launching a war against drugs only to drive leaders in the trade to militarize themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

It absurdly implies that arresting actual criminals — being in this country illegally is generally a civil matter — isn’t enough for local law enforcement to consider themselves true defenders of public safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Four years before that they started with two home draws and effectively took themselves out of the running.

From BBC

She's human and I think from my perspective I tried to allow everyone to be themselves and she settled in really quickly.

From BBC