something

[suhm-thing]

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.

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

/ 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

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

combining form

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      the thirtysomething market

Word History and Origins

Origin of something¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of something¹

C20: from the US television series thirtysomething

Idioms and Phrases

• (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

Example Sentences

He adds that “something of her internal world seems to travel the air with it.”

From Los Angeles Times

“When I watched ‘Saturday Night Live’ this weekend, I did notice something was missing: Ego Nwodim left the show,” Shepherd said on a recent episode of her daytime show.

From Los Angeles Times

People who advocate for the multiplex keep hoping that something like the “KPop Demon Hunters” screenings will prove that Ted Sarandos is mistaken and theatrical windows will actually benefit Netflix.

From Los Angeles Times

If researchers in the field “thought that a vaccine was something that could be achieved, they would already have done it,” says Sebastian Johnston, a professor of respiratory medicine and allergy at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London and a world expert in respiratory medicine research.

From Slate

Developing antivirals is something that many companies have tried, but so far, there is not a rhinovirus antiviral that is licensed and available for use.

From Slate

Related Words

• object 
• thing