anytime

1. 1
   adverb

   At any time, no matter when.

   Call me anytime if the pain gets worse during the night.

   Analysts say interest rates are unlikely to fall anytime soon.

   Similarwhenever

   Note

   Two words that grew into one: Old English ǣniġum tīman and Middle English any time are simply any plus time. Paired with soon, the adverb goes into sentences that doubt something will happen, such as unlikely to settle in the US anytime soon; placed at the end of a statement of taste, it marks a firm preference: give me a fine wine anytime.

2. 2
   interjectioncolloquial

   Used as an informal reply when someone thanks you, in the same way as you're welcome.

   "Thanks for covering my shift on Saturday." "Anytime. You'd do the same for me."

   He thanked the neighbor for walking his dog, and she just waved and said, "Anytime."

3. 3
   adjective

   Suitable for any time, rather than belonging to one particular time.

   These oat bars make a filling anytime snack, whether before a morning run or late at night.

   Her old phone plan included a few hundred anytime minutes plus free calls on weekends.

   Note

   Its natural partner is snack: an anytime snack is the kind you freeze and reheat, or wrap to eat on the go. Before a noun the spelling has not settled (closed as anytime, open as any time, hyphenated as any-time) and all three are read alike. Without a noun after it, the word is the plain adverb, as in call anytime.

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