anyone
Americanpronoun
pronoun
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any person; anybody
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(used with a negative or a question) a person of any importance
is he anyone in this town?
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(often preceded by just) any person at random; no matter who
Spelling
Anyone as a pronoun meaning “anybody” or “any person at all” is written as one word: Does anyone have the correct time? The two-word phrase any one means “any single member of a group of persons or things” and is often followed by of: Can any one of the members type? Any one of these books is exciting reading. Anyone is somewhat more formal than anybody.
Usage
See each, they ( def. ).
Etymology
Origin of anyone
First recorded in 1350–1400, anyone is from Middle English ani on. See any, one
Compare meaning
How does anyone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But for anyone who dreamed of following in their footsteps, making it into the industry could feel a world away.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
The donors are offering $122,000 for information leading to the successful prosecution of anyone responsible.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
But as anyone who loves someone with dementia knows, this outlook can lead into a sort of trap.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Here’s a simple message to sports stars, entertainers and anyone else who hits the big time at an early age and doesn’t know what to do with all that money.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
“Hope so. I don’t want to let anyone down. Especially not Willa.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
