- 1[countable, usually singular] the type of person you are, especially the way you normally behave, look, or feel You'll soon be feeling like your old self again (= feeling well or happy again). He's not his usual happy self this morning. Only with a few people could she be her real self (= show what she was really like rather than what she pretended to be). his private/professional self (= how he behaves at home/work)
- 2[uncountable] (also the self [singular]) (formal) a person's personality or character that makes them different from other people Many people living in institutions have lost their sense of self (= the feeling that they are individual people). the inner self (= a person's emotional and spiritual character)
- 3[uncountable] (formal) your own advantage or pleasure rather than that of other people She didn't do it for any reason of self. Self, self, self! That's all you ever think about!
- 4[countable] used to refer to a person You didn't hurt your little self, did you? We look forward to seeing Mrs. Brown and your good self this evening. Idioms
to not have the strength, influence, etc. that you used to have When his career ended, he became a shadow of his former self.
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