DictionaryAI

anything

AUSEN-ee-thing/ˈɛn.i.θɪŋ/UKEN-i-thing/ˈɛn.ɪ.θɪŋ/

5 meanings of anything

Practice

  1. 1
    any matterpronoun
    A thing of any kind, no matter what it is.

    Like an empty box that can hold any object you put in it.

    You can order anything you like from the menu.

    She would do anything to protect her family.

    UsageMostly in questions and with not: did you see anything? For one thing you do not name, say something: I saw something.

    Similaraught

    Oppositenothing

  2. 2
    adverb
    In any way, amount, or degree at all.

    My little sister doesn't look anything like me.

    The remake isn't anything like as scary as the original.

    UsageUsually with not, then like: she doesn't look anything like me.

    Note
  3. 3
    as can bepronoun
    Used after "as" to mean very or extremely.

    The baby is as cute as anything when she giggles.

    He bolted off quick as anything when the bell rang.

    UsagePut it after an adjective and as: quick as anything, or as cute as anything.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    someone importantnoun
    A person or thing that matters or is important.

    Nobody thought the shy new boy would ever amount to anything.

    If you want to be anything in life, finish school first.

    UsageUsually in amount to anything, with never or not: it won't amount to anything.

    Similarsomebody

    Oppositenobody

  2. 5
    verbcolloquialtransitive or intransitive
    Used in place of any verb from a group of similar verbs.

    You never hug me, you never kiss me, you never anything me!

    I didn't push her or trip her or anything her!

    UsageUse it after one or more real verbs: hug me, kiss me, or anything me.

    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3–5

From Old English, from words meaning "any thing": a mix of "any" and "thing".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meaning 2

From Old English words meaning "by any of things", using "any" plus "thing".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • The adverb derives from an Old English phrase literally meaning "by any of things". en.wiktionary.org
  • The first component is a form of the Old English word for "any". en.wiktionary.org
  • The second component is a form of the Old English word for "thing". en.wiktionary.org