anything
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for anything, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Pron — Any thing, event, or fact at all, of whatever kind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
anything at all
no matter what
any single thing
Antonyms
How to use anything
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
anything but
anything else
if anything
Frequently asked questions
What does “anything” mean?
The word “anything” means any thing, event, or fact at all, of whatever kind. In plain terms, a general word for "any thing at all," used in questions, negatives, and offers.
How do you pronounce “anything”?
“Anything” is pronounced EHN-ih-thihng (/ˈɛn.i.θɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “anything” in a sentence?
Here is “anything” used in a sentence: “Did anything interesting happen at work today?”
What part of speech is “anything”?
Depending on how it is used, “anything” can be a pronoun and an adverb.
Is “anything” a common word?
“Anything” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “anything” have?
“Anything” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any thing, event, or fact at all, of whatever kind.
What is the difference between 'anything' and 'something'?
'Something' points to a particular but unnamed thing and is used in positive statements, like 'I have something to tell you.' 'Anything' is open-ended, meaning no matter what, and is common in questions and negatives: 'Is there anything to eat?' or 'I don't want anything.' 'Something' narrows; 'anything' stays wide open.
When do you use 'anything' vs 'nothing'?
'Anything' pairs with a negative verb to say what 'nothing' says with a positive one: 'I didn't see anything' equals 'I saw nothing.' Using a negative verb together with 'nothing' creates a double negative — 'I didn't see nothing' — which is considered nonstandard in formal English.
What is an example of 'anything' in a sentence?
'Would you like anything to drink?' uses it in a question to mean no matter which item. 'You can choose anything on the menu' shows its open, unlimited sense. In 'I can't hear anything,' it combines with a negative verb to mean not a single thing at all.
