Standard Lemma guide

themself

pron · 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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  • /ðɛmˈsɛlf/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛlf
  • CMU ARPABET: DH EH0 M S EH1 L F Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
  • CMU ARPABET 2: DH AH0 M S EH1 L F Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

pron

Meaning 1

The reflexive form of they, the third-person singular personal pronoun. The single person previously mentioned, as the object of a verb or following a preposition (also used for emphasis).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: pronoun, proscribed, reflexive, sometimes, third-person

Examples

  • Someone could hurt themself.
  • Anyone who wants a car like mine can buy one themself.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

pron

Meaning 2

Synonym of themselves (the third-person plural).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: nonstandard, proscribed, sometimes, third-person

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: themselves

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English theimself. Equivalent to them + -self. Reinforced by analogy with the singular-plural distinction between yourself and yourselves.