anyone

[ en-ee-wuhn, -wuhn ]

pronoun

1. any person at all; anybody:

   Did anyone see the accident?

anyone

/ ˈɛnɪˌwʌn; -wən /

pronoun

1. any person; anybody
2. used with a negative or a question a person of any importance

   is he anyone in this town?

3. often preceded by just any person at random; no matter who

Usage Note

See each, they ( def ).

Spelling Note

Anyone as a pronoun meaning “anybody” or “any person at all” is written as one word: Does anyone have the correct time? The two-word phrase any one means “any single member of a group of persons or things” and is often followed by of: Can any one of the members type? Any one of these books is exciting reading. Anyone is somewhat more formal than anybody.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anyone¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, anyone is from Middle English ani on. See any, one

Example Sentences

Hegseth has already advocated purging the military of top officials, such as Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Charles Q. Brown — or anyone who has advocated for diversity and inclusion programs.

From Los Angeles Times

Chemerinsky, of Berkeley Law, said Trump “could not have picked anyone more far right or more a loyalist than Matt Gaetz,” and that there “is every reason to fear that he will be even less independent than Jeff Sessions or William Barr.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!”

From Los Angeles Times

“If anyone had any doubts whether the Trump government aims to serve regular people or the billionaires,” the statement said, “they should now be resolved.”

From Los Angeles Times

“It is career bureaucrats who know, better than anyone else, what works and what doesn’t,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• all
• anybody
• everybody
• everyone
• one
• public
• you