themselves
|them/selves|
B1
🇺🇸
/ðɛmˈsɛlvz/
🇬🇧
/ðəmˈsɛlvz/
their own selves
Etymology
Etymology Information
'themselves' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'þeom selfum', where 'þeom' meant 'them' and 'selfum' meant 'selves'.
Historical Evolution
'þeom selfum' transformed into the Middle English word 'themselves', and eventually became the modern English word 'themselves'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'their own selves', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Pronoun 1
used to refer to a group of people or things previously mentioned as the subject of the verb, emphasizing their own actions or identity.
They prepared themselves for the journey.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35