anywhere

American  

[en-ee-hwair, -wair] / ˈɛn iˌʰwɛər, -ˌwɛər /

adverb

1. in, at, or to any place.

2. to any extent; to some degree.

   Does my answer come anywhere near the right one?

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noun

1. any place or direction.

   They knew the attack could come from anywhere.

idioms

1. get anywhere, to achieve success.

   You'll never get anywhere with that attitude!

anywhere British  

/ ˈɛnɪˌwɛə /

adverb

1. in, at, or to any place

2. to be successful

   it took three years before he got anywhere

3. any quantity, time, degree, etc, above a specified limit

   he could be anywhere from 40 to 50 years old

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Spelling

See anyplace.

Etymology

Origin of anywhere

1350–1400; Middle English anywher ( e ), aniquar. See any, where

Explanation

The adverb anywhere means "in any location," or "wherever." If you're allowed to pitch your tent anywhere in the campground, it means you can choose any spot you like. When you say, "I can't find the cat anywhere!" it means you've looked every single place you can think of, and you still haven't located your pet. If you win the lottery, you may be overwhelmed by the idea that you can afford to travel anywhere — you can visit any country in the world. English speakers started saying anywhere in the 14th century; earlier, they said owhere or oughwhere.

Example Sentences

"After you've had a swim, you get out and you just feel, 'oh, I can go anywhere'," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

"Staycations are in vogue and the trend of 'work from anywhere' is not a short-term one," Agarwal said.

From Reuters • Jul. 7, 2021

‘Play your steam library anywhere’ services are amazing for the consumer.

From The Verge • Mar. 2, 2020

“I think the idea of ‘If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere’ is true in New York.

From New York Times • May 9, 2017

I can't see that the adventure 'got us anywhere' as brother Tom would say.

From Jane Allen, Junior by Bancroft, Edith