anything

American  

[en-ee-thing] / ˈɛn iˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. any thing whatever; something, no matter what.

   Do you have anything for a toothache?

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noun

1. a thing of any kind.

adverb

1. in any degree; to any extent; in any way; at all.

   Does it taste anything like chocolate?

idioms

1. anything goes, any type of conduct, dress, speech, etc., is considered acceptable or valid or is likely to be encountered and tolerated.

   That resort is a place where anything goes!

2. anything but, in no degree or respect; not in the least.

   The plans were anything but definite.

anything British  

/ ˈɛnɪˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. any object, event, action, etc, whatever

   anything might happen

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noun

1. a thing of any kind

   have you anything to declare?

adverb

1. in any way

   he wasn't anything like his father

2. by no means; not in the least

   she was anything but happy

3. (intensifier; usually euphemistic)

   he ran like anything

anything More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing anything

• can't do anything with
• if anything
• like anything
• not anything like

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Etymology

Origin of anything

before 900; Middle English ani thing, eni thing, Old English ǣnig thing. See any, thing ¹

Example Sentences

Employees of executives often tell me, “Yes, my manager listens but I don’t think he/she does anything with the feedback I provide.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

“Obviously we can’t say anything to confirm or deny the existence of a grand jury subpoena,” Wollman said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Whether that has anything to do with the visibility provided by the Spurs is an open question.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

If anything, the jobs market has gotten stronger.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Sometimes, it’s too late for her to do anything.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

• all
• everything