Phrase guide

be oneself

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To behave or act naturally, without regard to how this behavior is perceived by others.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • All you have to do is be yourself.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be as one usually is, as opposed to being sick, depressed, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • What's wrong? You're not yourself today.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: كَانَ نَفْسَكَ (kāna nafsaka) — to act naturally
  • Arabic: كَانَ نَفْسَكِ (kāna nafsaki) — to act naturally
  • Breton: bezit c'hwi — to act naturally
  • Finnish: olla oma itsensä — to act naturally
  • French: être soi-même — to act naturally
  • German: selbst sein — to act naturally
  • Hungarian: összhangban van önmagával — to act naturally
  • Hungarian: természetesen / spontán módon viselkedik — to act naturally
  • Hungarian: magát adja — to act naturally
  • Hungarian: önmaga — to act naturally
  • Polish: być sobą — to act naturally
  • Portuguese: ser si mesmo — to act naturally
  • Russian: быть сами́м собо́й (bytʹ samím sobój) — to act naturally
  • Tagalog: maging sarili ng isa — to act naturally