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• something
  something

  pronoun

  some thing; a certain undetermined or unspecified thing.
• -something
  -something

  combining form

something

American  

[suhm-thing] / ˈsʌmˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. some thing; a certain undetermined or unspecified thing.

   Something is wrong there.

   Something's happening.

2. an additional amount, as of cents or minutes, that is unknown, unspecified, or forgotten.

   He charged me ten something for the hat.

   Our train gets in at two something.

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noun

1. Informal. a person or thing of some value or consequence.

   He is really something!

   This writer has something to say and she says it well.

adverb

1. in some degree; to some extent; somewhat.

2. Informal. to a high or extreme degree; quite.

   He took on something fierce about my tardiness.

something ¹ British  

/ ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. an unspecified or unknown thing; some thing

   he knows something you don't

   take something warm with you

2. an unspecified or unknown amount; bit

   something less than a hundred

3. an impressive or important person, thing, or event

   isn't that something?

4. a remarkable person or thing

5. one unspecified thing or an alternative thing

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adverb

1. to some degree; a little; somewhat

   to look something like me

2. informal (foll by an adjective) (intensifier)

   it hurts something awful

-something ² British  

combining form

1. 1. a person whose age can be approximately expressed by a specified decade

   2. ( as modifier )

      the thirtysomething market

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something Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing something

• (something) or other
• buy something
• get (have) something on someone
• get something straight
• have something against
• hold (something) over
• hold something against
• look like something the cat dragged in
• make something of
• not put something past one
• on the ball, have something
• pull something on
• start something
• take something
• you know something

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Etymology

Origin of something

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English sum thing; see some, thing ¹

Example Sentences

Something about shared bathrooms, showers and bunk mates screams college and hostel life.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Something preciously human survives the supernatural barrage, and it’s this tender quality that rescues “The Lost Boys” from the jaws of vampire musical defeat.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

He told the court that two days before Coleman was due to pick up the Makarov, he wrote: "Something has gotta be done, how long can we sit here and talk over the internet."

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Something was taken from me, so taking something back feels less like a violation and more like correction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Something about this letter sent prickles up my arm and made me feel uneasy, but my curiosity got the better of me, and I unfolded it and read.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• object
• thing