themselves

 
Pronunciation: /ð(ə)mˈsɛlvz/

pronoun

[third person plural]
  • 1 [reflexive] used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a group of people or things previously mentioned as the subject of the clause: countries unable to look after themselves
  • 2 [emphatic] used to emphasize a particular group of people or things mentioned: excellent at organizing others, they may well be disorganized themselves
  • 3 [singular] used instead of ‘himself’ or ‘herself’ to refer to a person of unspecified sex: anyone who fancies themselves as a racing driver

Phrases

(not) be themselves

see be oneself, not be oneself at be.

by themselves

see by oneself at by.

On the use of themselves in the singular to mean ‘himself or herself’, see they (usage).