everything
- 1All things, or all the things you are talking about. People also say it to mean very many things.
Like one big box that holds all the things you are talking about.
We packed everything for the trip: clothes, food, and the tent.
She checked everything on the list before they left the house.
UsageUse a singular verb: everything is ready (not
incorrect: everything are ready).Similarall
Oppositenothing
- 2How things are going in general, or all the parts of someone's life.
She asked if everything was okay after the accident.
Everything is fine now that he's home and resting.
UsagePeople often ask How's everything? to mean how are you.
- 3The thing that matters most to someone.
Like the one thing you would grab first if your house were on fire.
Her children are everything to her.
Winning isn't everything in a friendly game.
UsageSay it means everything to someone. Money isn't everything means other things matter too.
Less common meanings
- 4All the effort and energy someone can give.
Like using all your energy until there is none left.
She gave everything in the final race.
He put everything into the school project.
UsageSay give everything or put everything into something. It took everything to + verb means it was very hard.
Similarall
- 5To do all the actions involved in something, used in place of a clear verb.
“ ‘You're right tonight, Boss Man,’ I said. ‘They’re laying it on us.’ “They outswung us, they out-everythinged us.
2001, Stanley Dance, The World of Swing
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English "every thing," made by joining the words "every" and "thing."
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Everything derives from Middle English "every thing". en.wiktionary.org
- Everything was formed by joining "every" and "thing". en.wiktionary.org