anyone

[en-ee-wuhn, -wuhn]

pronoun

1. any person at all; anybody.

   Did anyone see the accident?

anyone

/ ˈɛnɪˌwʌn, -wən /

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

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 Chair Company” allows us to see how anyone might fall down the chutes into which Robinson’s Joe Average easily slides.

Read more on Salon

Here, though, it’s justified because what befalls Ron could happen to anyone, and rooting surreal situations in relatability sparks Robinson’s comedy.

Read more on Salon

What other choice does anyone have?

Read more on Slate

Yet he wants to make his own way in the game and not be compared to anyone who he has worked with before.

Read more on BBC

It is unlikely that anyone without the authority and drive uniquely personified in this president could have achieved something like that.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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