ourselves

plural pronoun

our·​selves är-ˈselvz 

au̇(-ə)r-

1

: those identical ones that are we

—used reflexively

we're doing it solely for ourselves

, for emphasis

we ourselves will never go

, or in absolute constructions

ourselves no longer young, we can sympathize with those who are old

compare we sense 1

2

: our normal, healthy, or sane condition

just not ourselves today

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ourselves

• by ourselves
• for ourselves

Kids Definition

ourselves

plural pronoun

our·​selves är-ˈselvz 

au̇(ə)r-

1

: our own selves

—used for emphasis or to show that the subject and object of the verb are the same

we amused ourselves

we did it ourselves

2

: our normal or healthy selves

just not ourselves today