plural selves
ˈselvz 
Southern also ˈsevz
1
a(1)
: an individual's typical character or behavior
her true self was revealed
(2)
: an individual's temporary behavior or character
his better self
b
: a person in prime condition
feel like my old self today
2
: the union of elements (such as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person
3
: personal interest or advantage
4
a
: the entire person of an individual
b
: the realization or embodiment of an abstraction
5
: material that is part of an individual organism
ability of the immune system to distinguish self from nonself
selfed; selfing; selfs
: to undergo self-pollination
1
a
: oneself or itself
self-supporting
b
: of oneself or itself
self-abasement
c
: by oneself or itself
self-propelled
self-acting
2
a
: to, with, for, or toward oneself or itself
self-consistent
self-addressed
self-love
b
: of or in oneself or itself inherently
self-evident
c
: from or by means of oneself or itself
self-fertile
Synonyms
Examples of self in a Sentence
Noun
She showed her better self at the party.
Her public self is very different from her private self.
Philosophers have written about the conception of the self.
Adjective
a self-red rose of a shade that hasn't been seen before
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Only Sunny Hostin seemed her normal self, keeping her composure and her wits about her.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2013
An inspector’s notes also stated there were cardboard containers on the floor, a non-self closing restroom door, no training documentation for the staff.
—Pam McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for self 
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Noun
In December 2023, Brons shared on Instagram that she was featured in the Dutch book Dear Future Me, which featured photographs of 28 women along with letters written by them to their future selves.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Only Sunny Hostin seemed her normal self, keeping her composure and her wits about her.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The women's brains showed a clear divide between the areas of the brain activated by self and non-self MHCs.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2013
An inspector’s notes also stated there were cardboard containers on the floor, a non-self closing restroom door, no training documentation for the staff.
—Pam McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for self
Articles Related to self
Dictionary Entries Near self
Cite this Entry
“Self.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
self
1 of 3 pronoun
ˈself
Southern also ˈsef
: myself sense 1, himself, herself
check that can be paid to self
a room for self, son, and daughter
self
2 of 3 nounˈself
plural selves
ˈselvz,
Southern also ˈsevz
1
: a person thought of as an individual apart from everyone else
2
: a particular side of a person's disposition
your better self
3
: personal interest
without thought of self
self-
3 of 3 combining form1
a
: oneself or itself
self-pitying
b
: of oneself or itself
self-destructive
self-sacrifice
c
: by oneself or itself
self-made
self-propelled
2
a
: to, with, for, or toward oneself or itself
self-addressed
b
: of or in oneself or itself
self-evident
c
: from or by means of oneself or itself
self-fertile
Medical Definition
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