anything

American  

[en-ee-thing] / ˈɛn iˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. any thing whatever; something, no matter what.

   Do you have anything for a toothache?

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noun

1. a thing of any kind.

adverb

1. in any degree; to any extent; in any way; at all.

   Does it taste anything like chocolate?

idioms

1. anything goes, any type of conduct, dress, speech, etc., is considered acceptable or valid or is likely to be encountered and tolerated.

   That resort is a place where anything goes!

2. anything but, in no degree or respect; not in the least.

   The plans were anything but definite.

anything British  

/ ˈɛnɪˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. any object, event, action, etc, whatever

   anything might happen

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noun

1. a thing of any kind

   have you anything to declare?

adverb

1. in any way

   he wasn't anything like his father

2. by no means; not in the least

   she was anything but happy

3. (intensifier; usually euphemistic)

   he ran like anything

anything More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing anything

• can't do anything with
• if anything
• like anything
• not anything like

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Etymology

Origin of anything

before 900; Middle English ani thing, eni thing, Old English ǣnig thing. See any, thing ¹

Example Sentences

Anything short of that wouldn’t justify Norway’s long wait, Ryerson said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Anything short of that might not be enough to prevail anymore.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

Anything that doesn’t materially top those figures, as well as the second quarter outlook for sales of around $87.1 billion, could trigger the pullback in stocks that other markets are indicating.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Anything else you can find on-site works, too, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

“Anything! Anything you say! What do you want of me?” he screamed in his fear and anxiety.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• all
• everything