A word used to refer back to a thing, animal, or idea that is the subject of the sentence, often to show that it is acting on or affecting itself. It can also add emphasis, as in “the machine itself.”
From “it” plus “self,” patterned after forms like “himself” and “herself.” Old English used similar reflexive constructions, and over time they became fixed single words. The form “itself” has been stable in English for many centuries.
Reflexive pronouns like “itself” act like little mirrors in a sentence, bouncing the action back to the subject. “The door closed itself” sounds almost magical, as if the door chose to act. That mirror effect is what makes these words powerful for emphasis and storytelling.
'Itself' has occasionally been applied to humans in dehumanizing or objectifying ways, echoing the misuse of 'it' and 'its' for people. This usage aligns with historical patterns of denying full personhood to certain groups.
Avoid using 'itself' for people; use 'themself' or 'themselves' depending on the pronoun set. 'Itself' is appropriate for objects, abstract entities, and non-sentient systems.
["themself","themselves"]
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