DictionaryAI

somebody

SUM-bu-dee/ˈsʌmbˌʌdi/UKSUM-bo-dee/ˈsʌmbˌɒdi/

Noun pluralsomebodies, somebodys

2 meanings of somebody

Practice

  1. 1
    unknown personpronoun
    Some person who is not named or not known, whether one particular person or any person at all.

    Somebody must have taken my coat by mistake.

    There's somebody at the door asking for you.

    UsageTakes a singular verb (somebody has), but is usually referred back to with they: somebody left their coat.

    Similarsomeone

    Oppositenobody

  2. 2
    important personnouncountable
    A person who is recognized as important or famous; a notable figure.

    After winning the award, she finally felt like a somebody.

    Everyone at that party seemed to be a somebody in the film world.

    UsageUsed with a (a somebody, plural somebodies), often in contrast with a nobody.

    Similarcelebrity, notable, bigwig, star, VIP

    Oppositenobody, nonentity

    Note

    The article usually separates it from the unspecified person: "somebody called" and "a somebody called" mean different things. After be it can go without one, as in she wants to be somebody.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English "sum body," equivalent to "some" combined with "body."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Somebody derives from Middle English "sum body", equivalent to "some" combined with "body". en.wiktionary.org