anyone
Americanpronoun
pronoun
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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.
"We know that a number of people were in the area at the time and would appeal to anyone who witnessed this shocking incident to come forward," said Det Insp Connolly.
From BBC
What the Hoosiers have also shown, however, is that it could be practically anyone next year.
Anyone returning to their hometown after decades away will note changes — old businesses close and new ones open, some people move away and others die.
From Los Angeles Times
There is no reason that anyone other than Greenlanders themselves must “own” the island.
From Salon
She appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
From BBC
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.
