ourself

English

Etymology

From Middle English oure-selfe; equivalent to our +‎ -self.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /(ˌ)aʊə(ɹ)ˈsɛlf/, /(ˌ)ɑː(ɹ)ˈsɛlf/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛlf

Pronoun

ourself (first person, singular reflexive of we)

1. (reflexive pronoun) The reflexive of the royal or editorial we: myself (as used by a monarch, writer or speaker who is referring to themself as we).

   In the present study, we will limit ourself to the simplest of cases.

   • 1838, Charles Dickens, Sketches of Young Gentlemen:

     Without in any way committing ourself upon this point, we have merely to observe, that we are ready to receive sealed offers containing a full specification of age, temper, appearance, and condition […]

   • 1962, Princeton Alumni Weekly, volume 63, page 24:

     He then offered to guide us down to see for ourself, but one look down that dark hole to the water about 60 feet below completely dampened our speluncean ardor.

2. (reflexive pronoun) The reflexive of the generic we: oneself.

   We should love our neighbor as ourself.

3. (colloquial) Reflexive of "we" referring to an individual person being addressed, especially a person in the speaker's care.

   Hello Mrs Miggins. Did we manage to wash ourself this morning?

   Well done Timmy! Did we make that model ourself? (emphatic use)

4. (African-American Vernacular) The reflexive of we: ourselves.

Usage notes

• The normal reflexive form of we is ourselves. This form can generally be used alternatively in the above cases, too.

Coordinate terms

• ourselves (plural)

Translations

reflexive of editorial or royal we

• French: nous-même (fr)
• German: uns (de) (editorial), Uns (de) (royal)
• Romanian: înșine m, însene f

Anagrams

• foulers, refouls