1 [C,usually sing.] the type of person you are, especially the way you normally behave, look or feel:
You'll soon be feeling 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 [U] (also the self [sing.]) (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) * a lack of confidence in the self
3 [U] (formal) your own advantage or pleasure rather than that of other people:
She didn't do it for any reason of self. * (spoken) Self, self, self! That's all you ever think about!
4 [C] used to refer to a person:
Jon gave his whole self to his job. * You didn't hurt your little self, did you? * We look forward to seeing Mrs Brown and your good self this evening.
IDIOMS see FORMER
