something

[suhm-thing]

pronoun

1. some thing; a certain undetermined or unspecified thing.

   Something is wrong there.

   Something's happening.

2. an additional amount, as of cents or minutes, that is unknown, unspecified, or forgotten.

   He charged me ten something for the hat.

   Our train gets in at two something.

noun

1. Informal.,  a person or thing of some value or consequence.

   He is really something!

   This writer has something to say and she says it well.

adverb

1. in some degree; to some extent; somewhat.

2. Informal.,  to a high or extreme degree; quite.

   He took on something fierce about my tardiness.

something

¹

/ ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. an unspecified or unknown thing; some thing

   he knows something you don't

   take something warm with you

2. an unspecified or unknown amount; bit

   something less than a hundred

3. an impressive or important person, thing, or event

   isn't that something?

4. a remarkable person or thing

5. one unspecified thing or an alternative thing

adverb

1. to some degree; a little; somewhat

   to look something like me

2. informal,  (foll by an adjective) (intensifier)

   it hurts something awful

-something

²

combining form

1. 1. a person whose age can be approximately expressed by a specified decade

   2. ( as modifier )

      the thirtysomething market

Word History and Origins

Origin of something¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English sum thing; some, thing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of something¹

C20: from the US television series thirtysomething

Idioms and Phrases

• (something) or other
• buy something
• get (have) something on someone
• get something straight
• have something against
• hold (something) over
• hold something against
• look like something the cat dragged in
• make something of
• not put something past one
• on the ball, have something
• pull something on
• start something
• take something
• you know something

Example Sentences

Being careful to talk to my partner about something other than caregiving.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I knew that I was part of something really important and that it deserved all of me,” she says.

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For weeks I hopped on and off trains in different states, and soon realized that my initial assessment was wrong: Something had changed.

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With nearly 12 million driven from their homes and famine conditions continuing in parts of the country, the Sudanese are desperate for something – anything - that could break the deadlock.

Read more on BBC

She said she feels that there's a lot of pressure for female founders to be perfect and to always make perfect decisions – something she tries to challenge online.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• object 
• thing