DictionaryAI

anybody

pronoun
EN-ee-bu-dee/ˈɛn.i.bʌ.di/UKEN-ee-bod-ee/ˈɛn.i.bɒd.i/

2 meanings of anybody

Practice

  1. 1
    no matter whopronoun
    Any single person out of an unknown or unlimited number of people; any person at all.

    Anybody who finishes the exam early may leave the room.

    She refused to let anybody else read the letters she had saved.

    Similaranyone

    Oppositenobody

  2. 2
    important personpronouncolloquial
    A person of some importance or social standing; someone who counts for something.

    Everyone who was anybody in the city showed up for the charity gala.

    In those days you weren't anybody in local politics unless the mayor knew your name.

    UsageUsually after be, often with not: you weren't anybody; set phrase everyone who was anybody.

    Similarsomebody

    Oppositenobody

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English ani-bodi (also anybodi, eny body), formed from "any" plus "body".

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts