itself

Study(8)

/ɪtˈsɛlf/

pron 3

Collocations

ADJ.

bad, evil, feasible, harmful, harmful, heavy, interesting, left

The idea itself is feasible, but we need more time to plan it properly.

VERB + ITSELF

asserts, beginning, cried, effect, end, exert, frame, interest

The problem began to assert itself when we tried to install the new software.

ITSELF + NOUN

baby, course, human, lot, populations, truths

The baby itself seemed perfectly content sleeping through the entire car ride.

PREP.

in, in, out, up

The problem sorted itself out after we waited a few days.

ADV.

quite

The problem itself is quite simple, but finding a solution proved difficult.

Definitions

pron

it; A thing as the object of a verb or preposition that also appears as the subject

When the opportunity presented itself, no feasible course of action suggested itself (to us).

The researchers posit that something they call the “hipster effect” asserts itself in human populations no matter how individualistic we imagine ourselves to be, because it’s individuality itself that sparks conformity.

it; used to intensify the subject, especially to emphasize that it is the only participant in the predicate

The door itself is quite heavy.

Beautie alone is a ſoveraigne remedy againſt feare,griefe,and all melancholy fits; a charm,as Peter de la Seine and many other writers affirme,a banquet it ſelfe;he gives inſtance in diſcontented Menelaus that was ſo often freed by Helenas faire face: and ʰTully, 3 Tusc. cites Epicurus as a chiefe patron of this Tenent.

it; used to refer back to an earlier subject

The oil by degrees gets covered with a curdy mass, which after some time settles to the bottom, while itself becomes limpid and colorless.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

in and of itself

Synonym of in itself.

history repeats itself

Things that have happened in the past will or tend to happen again in one way or another.

If it be true that history repeats itself, then assuredly a narrative of domestic trials, of political emergencies, and of religious animosities can never be out of date, since men

lend itself to

To be suitable for; be amenable to.

The belief in a romantic chaos lends itself to pessimism, but it also lends itself to absolute self-assertion.

a house divided against itself cannot stand

A group or organization that is weakened by internal dissent will not remain united.

Thirdly, sometimes by setting and fomenting divisions among Christians, Preacher against Preacher, Church against Church, well knowing, that a house divided against it selfe cannot

simplicity itself

Something very easy to do or understand.

"No fine speeches, please, sir," she cut in, "but do as I advise." "I fear I cannot." "Why do you say that? The thing is simplicity itself."

Example Bank

When the opportunity presented itself, no feasible course of action suggested itself (to us).

Wiktionary

The door itself is quite heavy.

Wiktionary

Your sense of humor is beginning to exert itself.

Tatoeba · #17339

The phenomenon of interest is in itself, a most interesting subject.

Tatoeba · #18930

Competition is neither good nor evil in itself.

Tatoeba · #19274

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, itself is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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