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self

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noun

/self/

singular	self
plural	selves

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Metaphor

1
[countable/uncountable] who you are and what you think and feel, especially the conscious feeling of being separate and different from other people
sense of self:
Young babies do not have a fully developed sense of self.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of self
1. a.
  [uncountable] spoken what you feel and want, rather than what other people feel and want
  All he ever thinks about is self.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of self
2
[uncountable] British used for referring to yourself in formal documents such as business agreements or cheques
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of self

phrases

your inner self
your thoughts and emotions
Yoga is designed to balance our inner selves.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of self
your normal/usual self
the type of person that you usually are, when nothing has happened to upset you
Did she seem her normal self?
At home, he was his usual cheerful self.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of self
your true/real self
the type of person that you are when you are not trying to impress anyone
She lets very few people see her true self.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of self

See also

Metaphor: self

Metaphor

Your sense of your self or your own identity is like a space which belongs only to you, and which has boundaries. When people want too much from you or are interfering in your life, you feel as if they are crossing these boundaries, or as if you do not have enough space.

I'm someone who needs a lot of personal space.
A healthy relationship involves respecting each other's boundaries.
Don't crowd her, she needs some time to herself.
She knew she had overstepped the limits of their friendship.
I felt stifled/suffocated in that relationship and knew I had to get out.
He had broken down the barriers between them.
Slowly he wore down her defences.
You must give me more room to breathe.
As soon as someone gets too close, he backs away.
Could you make room in your life for a child who needs love?
Four years after the divorce, I was ready to let someone into my life again.
Every time I mention her father she just closes up.

➡ relationship

You sometimes think of your own self as a separate person, especially at times when you are very emotional, ill, uncertain, or busy.

I often lose myself in my work.
She was beside herself with grief.
I'm sorry if I was rude: I'm not myself today.
Why don't you let yourself go a little?
After struggling with himself for days, he finally went to the police.
Yoga is an opportunity to get in touch with yourself.
You need to find your inner child.
Joanne doesn't let many people see her real self.
He went to India to find himself.
Many people feel lost when they first leave home.

This is the British English definition of self. View American English definition of self.

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