ourselves

[ahr-selvz, ou^uhr-, ou-er-]

pronoun

1. a reflexive form of we (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition).

   We are deceiving ourselves. Give us a moment to ourselves.

2. (used as an intensive withwe ).

   We ourselves would never say such a thing.

3. Informal.,  (used in place of we or us, especially in compound subjects, objects, and complements).

   The children and ourselves thank you kindly. When it satisfies ourselves, it will be ready to market. The ones who really want the new system are the manager and ourselves.

4. (used in place of we or us after as, than, orbut ).

   How many parents are as fortunate as ourselves? No one loves skiing more than ourselves. Nobody heard it but ourselves.

5. our customary, normal, or healthy selves.

   After a good rest, we're almost ourselves again.

ourselves

/ aʊəˈsɛlvz /

pronoun

1. 1. the reflexive form of we or us

   2. (intensifier)

      we ourselves will finish it

2. (preceded by a copula) our usual selves

   we are ourselves when we're together

3. not_standard,  used instead of we or us in compound noun phrases

   other people and ourselves

Usage

See myself.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ourselves¹

1300–50; Middle English oure selven; our, self, -en ⁴, -s ³

Example Sentences

"I think ourselves, Greece and Denmark can fight it out. Belarus are in there with the capability to bring a surprise on somebody. We just hope it's not us."

From BBC

“We know the rules, and if anything is not clear, we remind ourselves what the rules are. And we make it absolutely clear we will abide by those rules.”

From Los Angeles Times

In “Last Rites,” the thematic metaphor for seeing is the mirror itself, suggesting that we need to look at the darkest, most terrifying parts of ourselves and not shut them out.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s something that we would never want ourselves, as viewers.

From Los Angeles Times

How do we know when we are depending on someone else too much, and how can we become more emotionally dependent on ourselves?

From Los Angeles Times