anything
EHN-ih-thihng
Anything (pron) means any thing, event, or fact at all, of whatever kind. Example: “Did anything interesting happen at work today?”
pron
1
Any thing, event, or fact at all, of whatever kind.
"Did anything interesting happen at work today?"
"I'd do anything to help my family."
"She never eats anything before she goes for a morning run."
adv
1
To any degree or in any way (used to strengthen a comparison).
"The new model is nothing like anything we've seen before."
"The weather today isn't anything like it was yesterday."
"Is your new flat anything like the one you used to rent?"
How to use anything
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA general word for "any thing at all," used in questions, negatives, and offers.
Common pairings
anything but
anything else
if anything
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Word forms
- Plural
- anythings
- Third person singular
- anythings
- Past tense
- anythinged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Did _____ interesting happen at work today?
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for anything
See all rhymes for 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.
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