Dictionary.com

any

[ en-ee ]
/ ˈɛn i /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: any / anier / aniest on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pronoun

an unspecified person or persons; anybody; anyone: He does better than any before him.
a single one or ones; an unspecified thing or things; a quantity or number: We don't have any left.

adverb

in whatever degree; to some extent; at all: Do you feel any better?

QUIZZES

WERE YOU BAMBOOZLED BY THE WORDS FROM FEBRUARY?

We understand! Words are tricky that way. Take this quiz on the Words of the Day from February, 2021, to show that you’re far from frumious!
Question 1 of 10
Which Word of the Day means “happening within or being the created world of a story”?
diegetic
cheeseparing
parlous
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for any

    any which way, in any manner whatever; indifferently or carelessly: Doing your work any which way is just not good enough.

Origin of any

First recorded before 950; Middle English eni, ani, Old English ǣnig (Old English ān one + -ig-y1)

words often confused with any

3. See some.

Words nearby any

anxiety reaction, anxiety state, anxiolytic, anxious, anxious seat, any, Anyang, anybody, any day, anyhoo, anyhow
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to any

all, several, either, each, whatever, a bit, a little, in general

Example sentences from the Web for any

British Dictionary definitions for any

any
/ (ˈɛnɪ) /

determiner

  1. one, some, or several, as specified, no matter how much or many, what kind or quality, etcany cheese in the cupboard is yours; you may take any clothes you like
  2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural)take any you like
(usually used with a negative)
  1. even the smallest amount or even oneI can't stand any noise
  2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural)don't give her any
whatever or whichever; no matter what or whichany dictionary will do; any time of day
an indefinite or unlimited amount or number (esp in the phrases any amount or number)any number of friends

adverb

(usually used with a negative)
  1. (foll by a comparative adjective) to even the smallest extentit isn't any worse now
  2. not standard at allhe doesn't care any

Word Origin for any

Old English ǣnig; related to Old Frisian ēnig, Old High German einag, Old Norse einigr anyone, Latin ūnicus unique; see an 1, one
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with any

any
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Learning At Home Just Got Easier!