anyone
EH-nee-wuhn
Anyone (pron) means any person at all; anybody. Example: “Anyone can learn to cook if they practice.”
pron
1
Any person at all; anybody.
"Almost anyone can change a light bulb."
"Anyone can learn to cook if they practice."
"Has anyone seen my keys?"
"I will be happy to help anyone who is lost."
How to use anyone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAny single person, unspecified.
Common mistake
"Anyone" (any person) is different from "any one" (a specific single item from a group) — "anyone can attend" vs. "choose any one of these."
Easily confused with
anybody →
any one
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_____ can learn to cook if they practice.
Etymology
From Middle English eny on, ony one. By surface analysis, any + one.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for anyone
See all rhymes for anyone →Frequently asked questions
What does “anyone” mean?
The word “anyone” means any person at all; anybody. In plain terms, any single person, unspecified.
How do you pronounce “anyone”?
“Anyone” is pronounced EH-nee-wuhn (/ˈɛ.ni.wʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “anyone” in a sentence?
Here is “anyone” used in a sentence: “Anyone can learn to cook if they practice.”
What part of speech is “anyone”?
“Anyone” is a pronoun.
Is “anyone” a common word?
“Anyone” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between anyone and any one?
Written as one word, "anyone" means any person at all, as in "can anyone help?" Written as two words, "any one" means any single member of a group of things or people, as in "choose any one of these books." A quick test: if you can add "of," you need the two-word "any one."
What is the difference between anyone and anybody?
In meaning, none. Both refer to any person at all, and you can swap one for the other freely. The only slight difference is tone: "anybody" feels a touch more casual and conversational, while "anyone" is marginally more formal. Both are correct in speech and writing, so the choice is largely personal.
What is the difference between anyone and everyone?
"Anyone" points to any single person, no matter who; "anyone could do it" means at least one unspecified person could. "Everyone" refers to all people in a group without exception; "everyone could do it" means each and every person could. One highlights any random individual, the other includes the whole group.
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