anyone

[ en-ee-wuhn, -wuhn ]

/ ˈɛn iˌwʌn, -wən /

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See synonyms for anyone on Thesaurus.com

pronoun

any person at all; anybody: Did anyone see the accident?

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of anyone

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

usage note for anyone

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 note for anyone

See each, they.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use anyone in a sentence

The scene was heavily cordoned off to traffic and anyone not with the police, press, or residents.
Police Hunt for Paris Massacre Suspects|Tracy McNicoll, Christopher Dickey|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At the same time anyone could carry anything—even drugs—easily.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The injunction, she argued, only applies to these four plaintiffs—not to anyone else.
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Anyone who tries to draw attention to threats instead of quietly burying them is worsening the problem.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

“A guy drives up in a 2008 Mercedes, brand new,” Harry S. Connelly Jr. says in the video, according to the Times.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But just wishing never made anyone larger or taller, not even a pig, and Squinty stayed the same size.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
Ajoutez cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficult qu'il y a de tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
"Never better pleased to see anyone in my life," said Blair, nearly shaking Lawrence's arm off.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Neantmoins le vieil Membertou, pere du malade, conceut asss l'affaire, et me promit qu'on s'arresteroit tout ce que j'en dirois.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Nor is there anyone of that order who talks of going back to those kingdoms without the most urgent reason making it necessary.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

British Dictionary definitions for anyone

anyone

/ (ˈɛnɪˌwʌn, -wən) /

pronoun

any person; anybody

(used with a negative or a question) a person of any importanceis he anyone in this town?

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

anyone

Origin of anyone

usage note for anyone

usage note for anyone

Words related to anyone

How to use anyone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for anyone