American English
/ɪt̚ˈsɛlf/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
A word used after a verb or preposition to refer back to a thing or animal already mentioned.
In “itself,” the stress is on the second part: /ɪtˈsɛlf/. Keep the first vowel short and unstressed.
A word used after a verb or preposition to refer back to a thing or animal already mentioned.
The cat cleaned itself.
The machine turned itself off.
Use itself for a thing or an animal, not for a person.
wash itself · hurt itself · turn itself off
subject + verb + itself
preposition + itself
Used after a noun to give extra emphasis to that noun.
The house itself is beautiful.
The idea itself is simple.
the thing itself · the problem itself
noun + itself + verb
noun + itself + be + adjective
alone or without help
The door opened by itself.
considered alone, without other things
The job is not difficult in itself.