by itself
idiom
1
: without being directly controlled by a person : automatically
The computer shuts off by itself if you haven't used it for a while.
The sprinkler will turn on by itself.
2
: with nothing nearby : alone
The house stood by itself at the end of the street.
Examples of by itself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The common thread here is that data by itself is not the solution.
—
Richard Jones, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Taken by itself, Stuckey’s hiring could just be that—a new hire.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024
The identity element always forms a subgroup by itself, called the trivial subgroup.
—Leila Sloman, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024
Even a rocker in the corner was moved bedside during the night and seen rocking by itself by former guests.
—Julie Jordan, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by itself 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Richard Jones, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Taken by itself, Stuckey’s hiring could just be that—a new hire.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024
The identity element always forms a subgroup by itself, called the trivial subgroup.
—Leila Sloman, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024
Even a rocker in the corner was moved bedside during the night and seen rocking by itself by former guests.
—Julie Jordan, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by itself
Dictionary Entries Near by itself
Cite this Entry
“By itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20itself. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share