anythingan‧y‧thing /ˈeniθɪŋ/ ●●● S1 W1 pronoun 
You can buy anything you want. He was prepared to do anything to make a bit of money. Anything would be better than staying at home! You can write about swimming, skiing, or anything else you enjoy doing.2used in questions to mean ‘something’: Is there anything I can do to help? Do you want anything from the shops? Would you like anything else to eat?3used in negative sentences to mean no thing, event etc: We didn’t have anything to eat for three days. Don’t do anything until we get there.4anything but used to emphasize that someone or something does not have a particular quality: Maria is anything but stupid!5 anything like somebody/something similar in any way to someone or something else: You don’t look anything like your mother. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to be where the action is.6 not anything like/near spoken used to emphasize a negative sentence: We don’t have anything like enough money to buy a new car.7as important/clear/big etc as anything informal extremely important, clear etc: He was as nice as anything to me.8or anything spoken or something that is similar: Would you like a drink or anything?9anything goes informal used to say that anything someone says or does is acceptable: From what other people were wearing, it looked like anything goes.10for anything informal if you will not do something for anything, you will definitely not do it: I wouldn’t go back there for anything.11like anything informal if you do something like anything, you do it a lot: We all encouraged him like anything.12if anything spoken used when you are adding something to emphasize what you have just said: Sam didn’t seem too disappointed at losing. If anything, he seemed relieved that it was all over.13 anything you say spoken used to tell someone you agree with what they suggest: Yes, of course, anything you say.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Do you need anything from the store?
- Don't do anything stupid.
- Have you heard anything about their new album?
- If you believe that, you'll believe anything!
- The cat will eat anything.
- You can't believe anything Kathy says.
Longman Language Activatorany of a group of things
use this to talk about each one of the things in a group, when it is not important to say exactly which one: · You can buy the magazine at any good bookstore.· This remote control can be used with any television set.any of the/these/my/them etc: · I told Debbie she could borrow any of my books.· So, do you like any of your new classes?
everything that you may want, need etc, especially when there is a very big choice: · I was going to throw all these things away anyway, so please take anything you like.· Do you know anything about computers?· Paul goes to all the auctions in the area looking for anything in Art Deco style.anything else: · The one thing he wanted more than anything else was a glass of cold water.anything at all: · If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anything at all.
anything at all -- use this to emphasize that it does not matter which object, action, idea etc: · "Can I have a cake, Mummy?" "You can have whatever you want, darling."· We'll do whatever we can to help.· You should find whatever you need in the cupboard under the sink.· Here was an audience eager to listen to whatever I had to say.
informal you say you name it when you are telling someone that there is everything that they want, or need, or can think of: · World-class museums, great theater, outdoor sports -- you name it, this city's got it.· I had so many different jobs while I was a student: waiter, sales clerk, bartender -- you name it.
any one of the people in a group or in the world use this to talk about each person in a group of people when it is not important to say exactly which one: any/man/child/teacher etc: · Ask any teacher and they'll tell you I'm right.· Any student who wishes to go on the trip should sign this list.any of the men/their children/my teachers etc: · Have any of the guests arrived?· Jan decided not to invite any of her relatives to her graduation.any of you/them/us: · Have any of you seen my glasses?
· Don't worry about it. It can happen to anybody.· Did anyone call while I was out?· If anybody needs more information, come and see me after class.· Sarah liked him more than anyone else she knew.· This would be an ideal job for anyone who speaks French and Italian.
informal anyone in the world, used especially when you mean that you should be more careful about who you choose or allow to do something: · Any Tom, Dick, or Harry could have written something just as good.· If you don't have someone at the door, any Tom, Dick or Harry could turn up at the party and walk straight in.
any person -- use this when the identity of the person is not important or is not known: · Whoever you ask, you will get the same answer.· Sam wanted to feel that others, no matter who they were, agreed with him.· If someone comes to your door you should always ask for some form of identification, no matter who they say they are.
if you say that any fool or any idiot can do something, you mean that anyone can do it because it is extremely easy, and if someone cannot do it they must be very stupid: · Any fool could see that the child was unhappy.
to not do something that you should do · I haven't done my taxes yet and they're due next week.· The electrician came round yesterday, but he didn't do all the jobs I asked him to do.· She was afraid that if she didn't do what her boss told her she would be fired.
to not try to help someone or prevent a bad situation, even though you know it is happening: · How could neighbors listen to her scream and do nothing?do nothing/not do anything about: · We told the police months ago, but they still haven't done anything about it.do nothing/not do anything to do something: · No one did anything to stop the purse snatcher.
formal to do nothing, especially when this is a deliberate decision: · If you have already paid the amount shown on this bill, you need take no further action.take no action to do something: · Local police took no action to protect the family from the attacks.
formal to not do something that you should do, especially when this has serious results: · The driver of the car failed to stop in time, and the boy was killed.· If you fail to provide all the information, we will be unable to process your application.
to not do something because you do not pay enough attention or forget, especially when this could have serious results: · Marie decided not to move, but she neglected to inform the rental agency.· The public are demanding to know why the government neglected to warn them of the oil shortages.
formal to not do something, either because you forget to do it or because you deliberately choose not to do it: · Mrs Hobbs told me about the meeting but she omitted to tell me where it was.· Starr's account omits to mention that it was his own actions that caused the fire.
to not do anything to stop something bad from happening, when you should do something to show that you care about the situation: · Why did people just stand by while she was attacked?· We can't afford to just sit by and watch more of our local industry shut down.
spoken to not even move or start to do something when there is an urgent situation: · Don't just stand there - help me catch the cat!· When the fire alarm went off she just sat there as if she hadn't heard a thing.
when there is not any of something not any of something, or not any people or things: · I was going to offer you some cake, but there's none left.· "Coffee?" "None for me, thanks."none of: · None of her friends live in London.· None of my clothes fit anymore.· Parents complain that none of the money set aside for the school has been spent on textbooks.none at all/none whatsoever/absolutely none especially spoken: · "Do you have any objections to the plan, John?" "None at all."· "The mayor has no tolerance for violent criminals, absolutely none," said a spokesperson.· Under the Constitution, the President has no legal authority -- none whatsoever -- to commit the United States to war.
none: · You won't find any, I'm afraid I haven't been shopping yet.· There aren't any good book stores in town.· We won't be getting any extra-large shirts until tomorrow.· The clerk said he didn't have any change.· There won't be any time for questions after the lecture.not any of: · I haven't read any of Henry Miller's novels.not any more/not any left spoken: · She asked for a copy of the "Boston Globe" but there weren't any left.
not any or not one: · There are no buses on Sundays.· a very plain room, with no pictures on the wall· Do you mind having black coffee? There's no milk.· We've had no rain for three months.· There was no room in the car for anyone else.· I knocked on the door, but there was no reply.· He just started hitting her for no reason.· Some athletes have no intention of getting an education while they're at college.no more: · There are no more classes until Monday.
· There's nothing in this box.· Many older people don't know anything about computers.· I switched the TV on, but nothing happened.· "What are you doing?" "Nothing."nothing new/serious/exciting etc · Nothing exciting ever happens in this place!nothing to eat/say/do etc · There was nothing to do, so we just watched TV.· She hasn't had anything to eat all day.nothing at all · "Do you know anything about fixing cars?" "No, nothing at all."nothing else (=nothing more) · As he listened, he understood the word "shimai", which means "sister", but nothing else.nothing else to say/do etc · I had nothing else to do so I cleaned the kitchen.· We will make an announcement next week; we have nothing else to say until then.
especially American, spoken nothing: · She knows absolutely zilch about marketing.· The federal government does zilch to help struggling farmers.
none - use this when the situation is very unusual or unexpected: · "Do you have any batteries?' "Not one. We've completely sold out."· According to the report, of the 10 best cities in which to do business, not one is in California.not one of: · We examined over a hundred machines and not one of them was working properly.
: not even one · It all happened so fast, I didn't see a thing.· Usually there were voices to be heard coming from the living room, but tonight there was not a sound.· There wasn't a scrap of food in the house.not a dickybird British informal (=nothing at all) · I haven't heard a dickybird from him all morning.
if the amount of something is nil , there is none of it and you feel disappointed about it: · With their best player injured, England's chances of winning the game were just about nil.· Refreshment facilities for long-distance bus passengers are virtually nil.
British informal nothing or not any of something - this is an impolite expression which people use especially when they are angry: · I hope she does some work at home. She does bugger all in the office.· You'll get bugger all thanks for helping them.
to refuse very firmly to accept or become involved in something to refuse to take part in an activity or get involved in something because you disapprove of it or think it will not work: · She said the idea was stupid and wouldn't have anything to do with it.· Most activists don't want anything to do with violent protests.
informal to refuse to accept something that someone offers you because you think it is not good enough for you: · Many older academics turn their noses up at subjects such as Media and Film studies.· He turned up his nose at a job washing dishes.
British /I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole American use this to say that you will definitely not accept something, buy something, or get involved in something: · My nephew wants me to invest in his business, but frankly I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.· Millions of people buy those cars, but I wouldn't touch one with a ten-foot pole.
to want something very much to want something to happen, when it is unlikely or impossible that it will happen, or when you cannot control what will happen: wish (that): · I wish I had a car like that.· Beth wished she could stay there forever.wish somebody/something would do something: · I wish they would turn that music down.
especially spoken to want something very much, and feel that you would be happy if you had it: · I would love a cup of coffee.would love to do something: · She would love to have children, but she hasn't met the right man.· "Would you like to go on a Caribbean cruise?" "I'd love to!" would love somebody to do something: · My mother would love me to come and live in New York with her.
if you say that you would do anything , would give anything or would give your right arm , you mean you very much want to have something or do something, especially something that is impossible to get or do: would do anything/would give anything/would give your right arm for: · I would do anything for a drink right now!· I would give anything for a look at that file.would do anything/would give anything/would give your right arm to do something: · When she first started writing, she would have done anything to get an article printed.· I'd give my right arm to be 21 again.
also be keen to do something British to want to do something very much, especially because you think it will be interesting or enjoyable or it will help other people: · He's really keen to meet you.· I was eager to get my hands on these rare recordings.· Donna is very eager to prove her worth to the group.be keen for somebody to do something: · My parents were keen for me to be independent, and let me have a lot of freedom.
to want very much to do or achieve something, so that you make a great effort: · Miles was anxious to gain his boss's approval, and was always the last to leave the office in the evening.· A newly-arrived executive is usually anxious to make his mark in a new firm.be anxious for somebody/something to do something: · After the war, the government was anxious for the tourist industry to be revived.
to want something very much, and feel that you must have it or do it immediately: be dying to do something: · I'm dying to meet Lisa's new boyfriend.be dying for: · I'm dying for a drink - let's go to a bar.
especially British to want or need something so much that you will be very unhappy or disappointed if you do not get it: · I could see that they were desperate and needed help.be desperate to do something: · After having four boys, the couple were desperate to have a little girl.· We were desperate to view the inside of the house once we saw the garden.be desperate for: · Newspapers are always desperate for stories.
spoken say this when you want something to happen as soon as possible, because you know you will enjoy it and you are very excited about it: · "You're going on holiday soon, aren't you?" "Yes, I can't wait."I can't wait to do something: · I can't wait to see Bill again - it's been a long time.can't wait for: · I can't wait for Christmas.
to be impatient to do something that you are excited about, especially something you have not done before: · She's just itching to tell you about her new boyfriend.· Despite her success, however, it just wasn't much fun anymore. Liz was itching to try something different.
a word used especially in spoken English meaning to want something very much, especially something to eat, drink etc: · I need a drink - coming to the bar?· Dave's been working really hard - he needs a holiday.
to want as much of something as you can get, especially food, attention, or a drug: · I've always craved love and acceptance.· The review gave Picasso a taste of the recognition he craved.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY You can write about swimming, skiing, or anything else you enjoy doing. Would you like anything else to eat?COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES If his past plays are anything to go by, this should be a play worth watching. Something terrible has happened. She carried on as if nothing had happened. Dad ate hardly anything (=almost nothing). We don’t hear anything of him these days. Does the name Bryce mean anything to you? I had nothing particular planned. Was there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about? I felt strong, fit, and ready for anything. Are you doing anything special for Christmas? He never suspected anything. Call the police if you see anything suspicious. I walked past but didn’t notice anything untoward. a process that can take anything up to ten days It’s a very old machine so I shouldn’t think it’s worth anything.
You can write about swimming, skiing, or anything else you enjoy doing. Would you like anything else to eat?· He lay on the sofa and did nothing all day.
If his past plays are anything to go by, this should be a play worth watching. Something terrible has happened. She carried on as if nothing had happened. Dad ate hardly anything (=almost nothing). We don’t hear anything of him these days. Does the name Bryce mean anything to you?· I know hardly anything about it.
· Nobody said anything.
· I could not find anything suitable.
spoken (=or something of the same kind) Would you like a coffee or something? She wasn’t involved in drugs or anything like that.
Would you like a coffee or something? She wasn’t involved in drugs or anything like that. I had nothing particular planned. Was there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about? I felt strong, fit, and ready for anything.· I was about to say something to him when he looked up and smiled.
· He usually has something to say about just about everything.
Are you doing anything special for Christmas? He never suspected anything. Call the police if you see anything suspicious. I walked past but didn’t notice anything untoward.· Did you notice anything unusual about him?
a process that can take anything up to ten days· Now he can do whatever he wants.
It’s a very old machine so I shouldn’t think it’s worth anything.· I’m sure that if anything can go wrong, it will.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► not anything like/nearPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► not amount to much/anything/a great deal etc► if you believe that, you’ll believe anything► would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something► I can’t promise (anything)► for want of anything better (to do)
1any thing, event, situation etc, when it is not important to say exactly which: - Ecumenically it is as important as anything.
- And when they came back they wouldn't have an excuse or anything.
- Clothing can not be washed, or anything else done..
- He's not my boyfriend or anything, but he looks after me.
- I have my idols, too, but they tend to be real people, not film stars or anything.
- It was great, and then it was two months before a video came out or anything.
- Just one lone ancestor standing in the spotlight without anyone or anything else the current generation can blame.
- Not esquire, sir, lord or anything like that.
- Tony didn't have time to waste booking him as a support act or doing a club circuit or anything like that.
- Don't worry about what to wear - anything goes at Ben's parties.
- With this season's fashions, anything goes.
- But it's a case of when you're down, anything goes.
- If anything goes wrong, she is there to alert the nurse.
- In the end humans will not adopt libertarian, anything goes values.
- The best thing about wraps is that anything goes.
- The world is ending, so anything goes.
- There is therefore the potential for personal distress if anything goes wrong.
- Today almost anything goes as long as the right jacket is there to gull the public.
- Whenever anything goes wrong, he blames it all on me.
- After what happened last time, I wouldn't work for them again for anything.
- And I wouldn't have missed your last customers for anything.
- Duncan got in the cab and searched for anything that might have been left.
- He had been in court before on charges of violence but never for anything like murder.
- It was unusual for anything in particular to happen in Mafeking Street.
- Ostrum would never want for anything without this job.
- Who could ask for anything more?
- You are the person that they go to for support, for anything that they need..
- Tom only left last week and I already miss him like anything.
- But like anything else worthy of our attention, it takes a little educating.
- I mean, eight singles hardly seems like anything at all.
- If it was like anything, thought Henry, it was probably like the art of eating out.
- It may not be perfect, and it may not even be like anything we have seen before.
- Somewhat softened by wind erosion, the surface none the less looked more like the lunar highlands than like anything on Earth.
- The interior is nothing like anything I've seen before.
- They would probably worry like anything.
- To intense, hardworking young Taylor, the practice could scarcely have seemed like anything but the most shameless sloth.
- But his father said, not a bit; hardened if anything.
- But what, if anything, can they do with all this information?
- He asked if anything was the matter.
- I'd wager that, if anything, people's tastes are getting more diverse these days than they used to be.
- In this case you will only be responsible for the balance, if anything.
- No-one ever heard what, if anything, she told them; but the hives grew amazingly heavy.
- That percentage had, if anything, dropped by 2015.
- Truth was, I more than once looked back over my shoulder to see if anything was following me.
- But she won't do anything I say.
- If you are a teacher I do not ask you to believe or take on trust anything I say.
- It was so cold that anything you said had frozen up before leaving your mouth.
- She did not seem surprised by anything I said.
- The whole audience became like one and anything somebody say is like you say it.
- There's something baldly there about him which inclines me, like Kevin, to distrust anything he says.
- They don't expect to understand anything he says.
- Why should anything we say have any validity?
- The sales clerk was anything but helpful.
- And the burnished vintage settings in South Philadelphia look anything but depressed.
- Before Sir Oswald could do anything but lift his arm up, a man swung his arm round Sir Oswald's neck.
- Californians, in fact, seem to have anything but politics on their minds.
- I feel numb to anything but thoughts of Marc.
- No Hollywood director would have the imagination to cast him as anything but a thug.
- On admission he was unable to swallow anything but liquids and mashed solids.
- The theology of the Exposition was anything but subtle.
- Underneath all the rebelliousness, of course, I never envisioned anything but a conventional Valparaiso-like future for myself.
- Does Brenda look anything like her mother?
- Actually, no matter what happens to the business cycle, people will continue to eat and to get sick.
- Do all the fish die and what happens to the occupants of metal-hulled boats?
- If anything happens to me, just bury me at Wounded Knee.
- Suppose Holt's 6-year-old does opt out of school? What happens to her then?
- Tell the students to hold the jars and look at the items through them. What happens to the items?
- The power is cut! What happens to the cake?
- We thought of having a party on that day to watch what happens to one another.
- What are the determinants of supply? What happens to the supply curve when each of these determinants changes?
- But his father said, not a bit; hardened if anything.
- But what, if anything, can they do with all this information?
- He asked if anything was the matter.
- I'd wager that, if anything, people's tastes are getting more diverse these days than they used to be.
- In this case you will only be responsible for the balance, if anything.
- No-one ever heard what, if anything, she told them; but the hives grew amazingly heavy.
- That percentage had, if anything, dropped by 2015.
- Truth was, I more than once looked back over my shoulder to see if anything was following me.
- But nothing of the kind has happened.
- Even apparent moves by the regime to resolve the crisis turn out on closer inspection to be nothing of the kind.
- However, we have done nothing of the kind!
- In reality, of course, Pooley had done nothing of the kind.
- It's possible that I might have, but I can assure you I did nothing of the kind.
- It does nothing of the kind.
- Of course, nothing of the kind turns up.
- She had denied anything of the kind to the police but it was real enough.
- Down the golden road, London and the world, life, whatever you like.
- I said they can call themselves anything they like, and I would still not engage one.
- I wished I could go back to the other way, when we could just do whatever we liked.
- Once you're online, you can use whatever you like.
- That is to say put anything you like on them, but don t be surprised if some one else reads them.
- They can do whatever they like provided that it is what the Treasury has already agreed.
- We can ask him whatever we like.
- "I want fifty copies of this by 3:00." "Anything you say, Mrs. DeVere."
- Both Dames Elizabeth and Martha were deaf, so whatever you said or how you said it would not cause any alarm.
- But children know that parents are anxious whatever they say.
- Her one, clear thought was that, whatever he said, she would not be convinced by him.
- I know that I had no intention of stopping the procedure, whatever anyone said or did to influence me.
- If you are a teacher I do not ask you to believe or take on trust anything I say.
- She opened her mouth and then closed it again, because, whatever she said, he would have a patient answer.
- There's something baldly there about him which inclines me, like Kevin, to distrust anything he says.
- Zsa Zsa was enchanting - whatever I said to her, she'd just giggle and become even more indiscreet.
- If you start something in there, don't expect me to back you up.
- I figured I must be the only fool who was trying to start something.
- I myself had started something of a relationship with her just now.
- I think we have to be autocratic about officers, at first, in order to start something.
- In fact, I was thinking I might try and start something along those lines as soon as I can.
- It's, well, enough to get by on, but not much more, not enough to start something.
- The standard affair, nowadays, will start something like this.
- Those involved were told that they should have consulted the senior branch before starting anything like that.
- When I brought you that painting, it started something.
- Andrew and I spent many hours on the Windrush porch discussing almost everything under the sun from party politics to mystic transcendentalism.
- Some people think that the police can do everything under the sun like, but of course you can't.
- There literally is everything under the sun, and you're free to do as much or as little as you want.
- They discussed everything under the sun.
You can buy anything you want. He was prepared to do anything to make a bit of money. Anything would be better than staying at home! You can write about swimming, skiing, or anything else you enjoy doing.2used in questions to mean ‘something’: Is there anything I can do to help? Do you want anything from the shops? Would you like anything else to eat?3used in negative sentences to mean no thing, event etc: We didn’t have anything to eat for three days. Don’t do anything until we get there.4anything but used to emphasize that someone or something does not have a particular quality: Maria is anything but stupid!5 anything like somebody/something similar in any way to someone or something else: You don’t look anything like your mother. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to be where the action is.6 not anything like/near spoken used to emphasize a negative sentence: We don’t have anything like enough money to buy a new car.7as important/clear/big etc as anything informal extremely important, clear etc: He was as nice as anything to me.8or anything spoken or something that is similar: Would you like a drink or anything?9anything goes informal used to say that anything someone says or does is acceptable: From what other people were wearing, it looked like anything goes.10for anything informal if you will not do something for anything, you will definitely not do it: I wouldn’t go back there for anything.11like anything informal if you do something like anything, you do it a lot: We all encouraged him like anything.12if anything spoken used when you are adding something to emphasize what you have just said: Sam didn’t seem too disappointed at losing. If anything, he seemed relieved that it was all over.13 anything you say spoken used to tell someone you agree with what they suggest: Yes, of course, anything you say.