anything

[en-ee-thing]

pronoun

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

   Do you have anything for a toothache?

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?

anything

/ ˈɛnɪˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

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

   anything might happen

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of anything¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing anything

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

Example Sentences

OxyContin was unlike anything else.

Read more on Salon

If these movements can wrap anything big or small into these reactionary culture wars and make enough noise, they can make anything but a cis, straight, able-bodied male protagonist feel like an inherently political creative choice.

Read more on Slate

Olivia-Grace Huxter's family said she was "the magic that could fix anything" who "loved to dance and sing".

Read more on BBC

"If you were having a bad day, Olivia-Grace was the one you needed to see, she was the magic that could fix anything. She was the centre of our family."

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Doesn’t a 30-year history of good credit count for anything?

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• all 
• everything