anyone

[ en-ee-wuhn, -wuhn ]

pronoun

1. any person at all; anybody:

   Did anyone see the accident?

anyone

/ -wən; ˈɛnɪˌwʌn /

pronoun

1. any person; anybody
2. used with a negative or a question a person of any importance

   is he anyone in this town?

3. often preceded by just any person at random; no matter who

Usage Note

See each, they ( def ).

Spelling Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anyone¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, anyone is from Middle English ani on. See any, one

Example Sentences

The scene was heavily cordoned off to traffic and anyone not with the police, press, or residents.

From The Daily Beast

At the same time anyone could carry anything—even drugs—easily.

From The Daily Beast

The injunction, she argued, only applies to these four plaintiffs—not to anyone else.

From The Daily Beast

Anyone who tries to draw attention to threats instead of quietly burying them is worsening the problem.

From The Daily Beast

Liberals distrust business and anyone with power—better to tell them exactly what to do.

From The Daily Beast

But just wishing never made anyone larger or taller, not even a pig, and Squinty stayed the same size.

From Project Gutenberg

"Never better pleased to see anyone in my life," said Blair, nearly shaking Lawrence's arm off.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor is there anyone of that order who talks of going back to those kingdoms without the most urgent reason making it necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

In all my life I had never seen a handsomer man, and I don't suppose anyone else there had either.

From Project Gutenberg

If Wee Willie Winkie took an interest in anyone, the fortunate man was envied alike by the mess and the rank and file.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• all
• anybody
• everybody
• everyone
• one
• public
• you