self S2 W3 / self / 名词 ( 复数形式 selves / selvz / )

1 [可数名词，通常单数] the type of person you are, your character, your typical behaviour etc

sb’s usual/normal self

Sid was not his usual smiling self.

be/look/feel (like) your old self (= be the way you usually are again, especially after having been ill, unhappy etc )

Jim was beginning to feel like his old self again.

sb’s true/real self (= what someone is really like, rather than what they pretend to be like )

Peter was the only one to whom she showed her true self.

2 sb’s sense of self someone’s idea that they are a separate person, different from other people :

a child’s developing sense of self

3 be a shadow/ghost of your former self to not be as healthy, strong etc as you used to be

4 [不可数名词] a word written in business letters, on cheques etc meaning yourself :

a cheque written to self

5 [可数名词] used to refer to a person :

a picture of a journalist and your good self (= you )

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

your normal/usual self When she came home at Christmas she seemed very quiet and not her normal self.

your old self (= the way you were before an illness or other change ) He sounded more like his old self than the last time she had called.

your true/real self (= your real character ) At last he had revealed his true self.

your inner self (= your real character or feelings that are usually hidden from other people ) Over the years she had put up barriers to protect her inner self.