anything

[ en-ee-thing ]

pronoun

1. any thing whatever; something, no matter what:

   Do you have anything for a toothache?

noun

1. a thing of any kind.

adverb

1. in any degree; to any extent; in any way; at all:

   Does it taste anything like chocolate?

anything

/ ˈɛnɪˌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. any object, event, action, etc, whatever

   anything might happen

noun

1. a thing of any kind

   have you anything to declare?

adverb

1. in any way

   he wasn't anything like his father

2. anything but
   by no means; not in the least

   she was anything but happy

3. like anything
   (intensifier; usually euphemistic)

   he ran like anything

Word History and Origins

Origin of anything¹

before 900; Middle English ani thing, eni thing, Old English ǣnig thing. See any, thing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. anything but, in no degree or respect; not in the least:

   The plans were anything but definite.

2. anything goes, any type of conduct, dress, speech, etc., is considered acceptable or valid or is likely to be encountered and tolerated:

   That resort is a place where anything goes!

More idioms and phrases containing anything

• can't do anything with
• if anything
• like anything
• not anything like

Example Sentences

“I don’t want to have regrets when I’m done, at the end of my life. I do think about that. I just don’t want to have regrets, especially with anything that has to do with my family. It’s hard not to consider the possibility of starting over in life.”

From Los Angeles Times

That person is awarded 30 seconds of “Face Time” to talk about anything they choose.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump, he said, “was aware of this investigation before. And the position of the former president is that there’s a Department of Justice that went after me, and it was unfair, and they didn't find anything with me. And the same thing with Matt Gaetz. He’s actually doubled down. He wants him to be the person.”

From Salon

It is hard to see this as anything other than an anti-feminist backlash.

From Slate

Trump’s incoming communication staff has a reputation for saying anything that favors the boss – which means a lot of feckless, fact-less, vile sputum parading as facts.

From Salon

Related Words

• all
• everything