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

"They couldn't understand anything I said," recalls Wallasey-born Morton, who speaks with a strong Liverpool accent.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

They avoid anything official at all costs, anything that involves paperwork.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

That’s “the widest spread in history exceeding anything during the tech bubble,” Krinsky said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

“If anything, we need additional funding to cover rising costs, not fewer, to maintain our current momentum,” the agency said Friday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

A flaming red rage rips through me, scorching hot, making me vibrate with a ferocity unlike anything I’ve felt before.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• all
• everything