itself

pronoun

/ɪtˈself/

Definition

A2 used when the subject of the verb is 'it' and the object is the same thing, animal, situation, or idea: The cat licked itself all over. You have to do something about the problem - it isn't just going to resolve itself.Reflexive forms B1 used to emphasize the subject when it is a thing, animal, situation, or idea: The shop itself (= only the shop and nothing else) started 15 years ago but the mail order side of the business is new.Reflexive forms (all) by itself › alone or without help: The animal had been left in the house by itself for a week. A cough will usually get better by itself. (all) to itself › for its use only: The committee kept the results of the survey to itself (= did not tell anyone), fearing a bad public reaction.

(Definition of itself pronoun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)