anyone
Americanpronoun
pronoun
-
any person; anybody
-
(used with a negative or a question) a person of any importance
is he anyone in this town?
-
(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.
However, he added that he "will not allow anyone to jeopardise the future of this country".
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
"For anyone at risk of harm there is only today, there is no tomorrow and if we can do something better, do it today."
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
After the Palisades fire, the ranch began hosting weekly community potluck dinners for anyone who lost their home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Can anyone truly be themselves when society’s bylaws not only dictate proper human behavior but also how successful anyone can be in something as complicated and unknowable as life itself?
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
While most men eye each other respectfully or suspiciously, these men glare, fearless, daring anyone to bother them.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
