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Definition of 'self'

Word Frequency

self

(self )
Word forms: plural selves
1. countable noun [usually adjective NOUN]
Your self is your basic personality or nature, especially considered in terms of what you are really like as a person.
You're looking more like your usual self.
She was back to her old self again.
Synonyms: personality, character, temperament, identity   More Synonyms of self
2. countable noun [usually adjective NOUN]
A person's self is the essential part of their nature which makes them different from everyone and everything else.
I want to explore and get in touch with my inner self.
The face is the true self visible to others.
...our subconscious selves.
Synonyms: soul, spirit, psyche, heart of hearts   More Synonyms of self
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

self in British

(sɛlf )
nounWord forms: plural selves (sɛlvz )
1. 
the distinct individuality or identity of a person or thing
2. 
a person's usual or typical bodily make-up or personal characteristics
she looked her old self again
3.  good self
4. 
one's own welfare or interests
he only thinks of self
5. 
an individual's consciousness of his or her own identity or being
6.  the self
7. 
a bird, animal, etc, that is a single colour throughout, esp a self-coloured pigeon
pronoun
8. not standard
myself, yourself, etc
seats for self and wife
adjective
9. 
of the same colour or material
a dress with a self belt
See also self-coloured
10. obsolete
the same
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'self'
Old English seolf; related to Old Norse sjālfr, Gothic silba, Old High German selb
Word Frequency

self in American

(sɛlf ; self)
nounWord forms: plural selves
1. 
the identity, character, or essential qualities of any person or thing
2. 
one's own person as distinct from all others
3. 
one's own welfare, interest, or advantage; selfishness
obsessed with self
pronoun
4.  Informal
myself, himself, herself, or yourself
tickets for self and wife
adjective
5. 
being uniform or the same throughout
6. 
of the same kind, nature, color, material, etc. as the rest
a self lining, self trim
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'self'
ME < OE, prob. < IE *selo- < base *se-, refl. pron., orig. separate, apart (> L sibi, se) + *(o)lo-, pron. suffix: basic sense “itself, by itself”

Example sentences containing 'self'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Putting your real self into a relationship instead of just wanting to please will deepen love. The Sun (2008)We feel like our old selves again. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Initially he was acting in self defence. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Now they were back to their old selves. The Sun (2012)Your elephant cannot get over its self. Stanley Bing THROWING THE ELEPHANT (2002)The use of defense mechanisms to protect self is a normal human reaction. Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)When he watched that audition tape he found himself unexpectedly forgiving of his young self. Times, Sunday Times (2015)She was a shadow of her former self. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Do you feel the need to hide your true self in person? Times, Sunday Times (2008)You can be your true and best self and live the life that is right for you. The Sun (2008)Giving them a sense that they are contributing to something bigger than the self is essential. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Love that lets you be your real self makes a relationship special. The Sun (2013)We can kick on and be our normal selves again. The Sun (2009)He claims he acted in self defence. The Sun (2010)Her old self is barely visible under deep layers of padding. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The mood of reflection lasted half a day and then he was back to his usual ebullient self. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Your thoughts, feelings and emotions are to the fore and your usual practical self takes a back seat. The Sun (2016)Art gave me a sense of self and identity, which I used to remove anxiety. Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Word Lists

Psychology terms

Trends of 'self'

Extremely Common. self is one of the 1000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

View usage for:

Nearby words of 'self'

  • Seleucid
  • Seleucidae
  • Seleucus I
  • self
  • self-
  • self-abasement
  • self-abnegation

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'S'

Related Terms of 'self'

  • self-
  • good self
  • self-harm
  • self-hate
  • self-help

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of self from the Collins English Dictionary

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Scrabble score for 'self': 7
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