something

[ suhm-thing ]

pronoun

1. some thing; a certain undetermined or unspecified thing:

   Something is wrong there.

   Something's happening.

2. an additional amount, as of cents or minutes, that is unknown, unspecified, or forgotten:

   He charged me ten something for the hat.

   Our train gets in at two something.

noun

1. Informal. a person or thing of some value or consequence:

   He is really something!

   This writer has something to say and she says it well.

adverb

1. in some degree; to some extent; somewhat.
2. Informal. to a high or extreme degree; quite:

   He took on something fierce about my tardiness.

something

¹

/ ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. an unspecified or unknown thing; some thing

   take something warm with you

   he knows something you don't

2. an unspecified or unknown amount; bit

   something less than a hundred

3. an impressive or important person, thing, or event

   isn't that something?

4. something else
   a remarkable person or thing
5. something or other
   one unspecified thing or an alternative thing

adverb

1. to some degree; a little; somewhat

   to look something like me

2. informal.
   foll by an adjective (intensifier)

   it hurts something awful

-something

²

combining form

1. 1. a person whose age can be approximately expressed by a specified decade
   2. ( as modifier )

      the thirtysomething market

Word History and Origins

Origin of something¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English sum thing; some, thing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of something¹

C20: from the US television series thirtysomething

Idioms and Phrases

• buy something
• get (have) something on someone
• get something straight
• have something against
• hold something against
• hold (something) over
• look like something the cat dragged in
• make something of
• not put something past one
• on the ball, have something
• (something) or other
• pull something on
• start something
• take something
• you know something

Example Sentences

There’s something very U2 about a concert film that you can see only in the place where the concert happened.

From Los Angeles Times

But there actually is something kind of raw about the movie.

From Los Angeles Times

I wouldn’t rule out doing something for the Sphere in the future.

From Los Angeles Times

This project was a celebration of “Achtung Baby,” so we’re anxious to do something that’s about new work.

From Los Angeles Times

The statement added: "Food safety is something we will never compromise on, and we remain committed to doing the right thing."

From BBC

Related Words

• object
• thing