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

Anything that plays to my strengths, including the science committee, would be welcome.

From Science Magazine

But Steve Urkel, as any consumer of ’90s pop culture can tell you, was anything but cool.

From Los Angeles Times

That dynamic is certainly different from anything Gottlieb has dealt with before.

From Los Angeles Times

Is there anything in particular you learned from Iowa when you spoke with them about their experience with Caitlin Clark?

From Los Angeles Times

But really from when last year ended, the conversations with TV stations, with people promoting games, with administration on getting ready for this year, with hiring a GM and NIL stuff, with, I mean, even the on-court stuff of managing expectations, none of it is completely like anything I’ve experienced before.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• all
• everything