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

“Most people haven’t done anything in years and years.”

From MarketWatch

Who wouldn’t want to live out the rest of their days in a state they insist is beyond anything Carol or others like her can presently imagine?

From Salon

If anything, Maye’s the more conventional QB phenom.

From The Wall Street Journal

If the napkin is not 100% straight, but everybody had a drink when they walked in and the food was delicious, it’s better not to worry about the napkin because you won’t get anything else done.

From The Wall Street Journal

Longtime investors are familiar with the adage that they shouldn’t own anything they don’t understand.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• all
• everything