DictionaryAI

somebody

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

Noun pluralsomebodies, somebodys

2 meanings of somebody

Practice

  1. 1
    unknown personpronoun
    A person whose name or identity is unknown or not given.

    Somebody left their umbrella in the hallway again.

    I heard somebody moving around upstairs last night.

    UsageSay somebody is or somebody has. To point back to it, use they or their: somebody lost their keys.

    Similarsomeone

    Oppositenobody

  2. 2
    important personnouncountable
    A well-known or important person that others notice.

    Like being a star everyone knows and points out in a crowd.

    She always wanted to be a somebody one day.

    He struts around the office like a real somebody.

    UsageSay a somebody. It is often the opposite of a nobody.

    Similarcelebrity, notable, bigwig, star, VIP

    Oppositenobody, nonentity

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English "sum body," made from "some" plus "body."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Somebody derives from Middle English "sum body", made from "some" plus "body". en.wiktionary.org