anyone
Americanpronoun
pronoun
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any person; anybody
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(used with a negative or a question) a person of any importance
is he anyone in this town?
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(often preceded by just) any person at random; no matter who
Spelling
Anyone as a pronoun meaning “anybody” or “any person at all” is written as one word: Does anyone have the correct time? The two-word phrase any one means “any single member of a group of persons or things” and is often followed by of: Can any one of the members type? Any one of these books is exciting reading. Anyone is somewhat more formal than anybody.
Usage
See each, they ( def. ).
Etymology
Origin of anyone
First recorded in 1350–1400, anyone is from Middle English ani on. See any, one
Compare meaning
How does anyone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the past, anyone proposing a change in our core curriculum would have to be steeled for a decadelong debate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
In practice, however, hardly anyone wants to use it.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
Those delays can be especially damaging during an outbreak, when identifying cases quickly is essential for separating infected people from others and finding anyone who may have been exposed.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
The reward funds will be made available to anyone who provides information by March 31 that results in a successful prosecution within two years of the date it is provided.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
"Sir, we are two innocent friars; we haven't kidnapped anyone," one of them protested.
From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
