anybody

[ en-ee-bod-ee, -buhd-ee ]

pronoun

1. any person.

noun

, plural an·y·bod·ies.

1. a person of some importance:

   If you're anybody, you'll receive an invitation.

anybody

/ ˈɛnɪˌbɒdɪ; -bədɪ /

pronoun

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

   he isn't anybody in this town

noun

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

Usage Note

See each, they ( def ).

Spelling Note

The pronoun anybody is always written as one word: Is anybody home? There isn't anybody in the office. The two-word noun phrase any body means “any group” ( Any body of students will include a few dissidents ) or “any physical body” ( The search continued for a week despite the failure to find any body ). If the word a can be substituted for any without seriously affecting the meaning, the two-word noun phrase is called for: a body of students; failure to find a body. If the substitution cannot be made, the spelling is anybody. Anybody is less formal than anyone. anyone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anybody¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, anybody is from Middle English ani bodi. See any, body

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. anybody's guess, a matter of conjecture:

   It's anybody's guess why she quit.

Example Sentences

“Isabella's medical records showed full engagement with health care - Isabella had attended immunisation and there was no cause for concern raised by anybody,” she added.

From BBC

“You are not taking anybody,” he told the lieutenant, then shoved him.

From Los Angeles Times

"Sometimes I think 'would that have made a difference to me?' But actually if here we are nearly five years later and these things still aren't being implemented, they're not making a difference to anybody."

From BBC

"But obviously something that you don't want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself."

From BBC

“Unless you protect the term, anybody can use it in the way they want.”

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• anyone
• everybody
• everyone
• public