anybody

[en-ee-bod-ee, -buhd-ee]

pronoun

1. any person.

noun

plural

anybodies 

1. a person of some importance.

   If you're anybody, you'll receive an invitation.

anybody

/ ˈɛnɪˌbɒdɪ, -bədɪ /

pronoun

1. any person; anyone

2. (usually used with a negative or a question) a person of any importance

   he isn't anybody in this town

noun

1. (often preceded by just) any person at random; no matter who

Usage

See each, they ( def. ).

Spelling Note

The pronoun anybody is always written as one word: Is anybody home? There isn't anybody in the office. The two-word noun phrase any body means “any group” ( Any body of students will include a few dissidents ) or “any physical body” ( The search continued for a week despite the failure to find any body ). If the word a can be substituted for any without seriously affecting the meaning, the two-word noun phrase is called for: a body of students; failure to find a body. If the substitution cannot be made, the spelling is anybody. Anybody is less formal than anyone. See also anyone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anybody¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, anybody is from Middle English ani bodi. See any, body

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. anybody's guess, a matter of conjecture.

   It's anybody's guess why she quit.

Example Sentences

With the World Series beginning on Friday, there’s really only one question remaining: Can anybody beat the Dodgers?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"If you ask anybody, name me an Oasis song... they're going to say Wonderwall... I think it was the first song from the 90s to reach a billion streams," said music specialist Richie Moores, who has been collecting Noel's guitars for 20 years.

Read more on Barron's

"Don't you steal anybody else's work."

Read more on BBC

“I can’t imagine how anybody can be antisemitic in this country. It’s wrong.”

Read more on Salon

"I don't think anybody should question the American role," said US Colonel Bunch.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• anyone 
• everybody 
• everyone 
• public