Skip to main content

selfa person's essential being that distinguishes them from others

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person's essential being that distinguishes them from others

Pronunciation (IPA): /sɛlf/

Example Sentences

  • He talks to himself when he's nervous.
  • She made herself a sandwich.
  • The cat saw itself in the mirror and got scared.

self

NOUN

[/sɛlf/]

a person's essential being that distinguishes them from others

a person's essential being that distinguishes them from others
💡 Concept

a person's essential being that distinguishes them from others

The elf on the shelf discovers his true self
🎵 Rhyme

The elf on the shelf discovers his true self

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/sɛlf/
🇬🇧 UK/sɛlf/

🌳Etymology

Rootself

Origin

The word derives from Old English 'seolf', which originated from the common Germanic root shared across the Germanic language family. The concept of 'oneself' represents one of the most fundamental notions in human language, emerging with the development of self-awareness and reflexive consciousness.

Breakdown

Old English 'seolf' evolved directly into modern English 'self', maintaining its core meaning of 'one's own person' or 'one's own being' throughout the Germanic language tradition.

🎵Rhyme

shelfelfherselfhimself
shelf
elf
herself
himself

🔗Collocations

true self
self-confidence
lose oneself
self-service
by oneself
self-made

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

He talks to himself when he's nervous.

She made herself a sandwich.

😄 Fun example

The cat saw itself in the mirror and got scared.

😄 Fun example

Be yourself, everyone else is taken.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

oneselfmyselfyourselfhimselfherself

Antonyms

othersthem

Related

identityegoindividualpersonsoulbeing

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.