anything Meaning & Definition
What Does Anything Mean?
Anything is a pronoun that means Any object, act, state, event, or fact whatsoever; a thing of any kind; something or other. It is also used to mean Expressing an indefinite comparison. As a noun, it means Someone or something of importance. As a verb, it means Used as a placeholder verb for any verb out of a set of related verbs.
Word Facts for Anything
| Part of speech | pronoun, noun, verb, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɛniθɪŋ/ |
| Plural | anythings |
| Verb forms | anythings, anythinging, anythinged |
Anything Definition (Pronoun)
- Any object, act, state, event, or fact whatsoever; a thing of any kind; something or other.
I would not do it for anything.
- Expressing an indefinite comparison.
Anything as a Noun
- Someone or something of importance.
Anything as a Verb
- Used as a placeholder verb for any verb out of a set of related verbs.
He wasn't cooking, he wasn't sweeping, he wasn't anythinging!
Anything as an Adverb
- In any way, any extent or any degree.
That isn't anything like a car.
Synonyms of Anything
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Anything synonyms and antonyms →Anything in a Sentence
I would not do it for anything.
If past experience is anything to go by, the plane will be late.
He wasn't cooking, he wasn't sweeping, he wasn't anythinging!
–I don't want to accompany him! –You never want to anything him!
That isn't anything like a car.
She's not anything like as strong as me.
Word Forms & Grammar
anything
anything (plural anythings)
anything (third-person singular simple present anythings, present participle anythinging, simple past and past participle anythinged)
anything (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Anything
Origin of Anything
Origin 1: From Middle English anything, enything, onything, from Late Old English aniþing, from earlier ǣniġ þing (literally “any thing”), equivalent to any + thing.
Origin 2: From Middle English anything, enything, onything, onythynge, from Old English ǣniġe þinga, ǣnġi þinga (literally “by any of things”), from ǣniġe, instrumental form of ǣniġ (“any”) + þinga, genitive plural of þing (“thing”).
Common Questions About Anything
Is anything a pronoun or a noun?
Anything is mainly used as a pronoun, but it can also be used as a noun, a verb and an adverb.
What is the plural of anything?
The plural of anything is anythings.
What is the past tense of anything?
The past tense of anything is anythinged. The present participle is anythinging.