Anything — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

pronoun adverb /ˈe-nē-ˌthiŋ/ any·thing

Meaning & Definition of Anything

Anything (pronoun)

  1. any thing whatever, any such thing

Anything (adverb)

  1. at all

Anything (pronoun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. any of various things that might exist or occur

    "I can't get anything done with this noise distracting me."

    "Despite searching the library multiple times, he was unable to find anything related to the topic of his research."

    similar: something, what all, whatever, whatnot, whichever

Related Entry: If anything (phrase)

If anything is a different word from Anything. The synonyms below are for if anything, not for anything.

  1. just the opposite being true

    "We definitely won't arrive early. If anything, we'll likely be late."

    similar: again, contrarily, contrariwise, conversely, on the contrary, to the contrary
    near: even, indeed, nay, true, truly, verily, yea

Related Entry: Start (verb)

Start is a different word from Anything. The synonyms below are for start, not for anything.

  1. to come into existence

    "the fight started when one child tripped the other"

    similar: actualize, appear, arise, begin, break, commence, dawn, engender, form, materialize, originate, set in, spring
    related: be, breathe, exist, live, subsist, arrive, come on, emerge, coalesce, cohere, shape (up), continue, endure, last, persist, survive
    opposite: cease, end, stop
    near: conclude, desist, discontinue, finish, halt, quit, terminate, disappear, dissolve, evaporate, vanish, depart, die, expire, pass away, perish

  2. to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

    "we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment"

    similar: begin, commence, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, lead off, open, strike (into), get going, get to, set about
    related: create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, adopt, embrace, take on, take up, establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn, get around (to), get down (to), get round (to)
    opposite: conclude, end, finish, terminate
    near: cease, desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, stop, close, complete, abandon, forsake, leave, abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase out

  3. to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of

    "started the impressionist movement in art"

    similar: begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, plant, set up
    related: author, father, originate, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up), construct, put up, develop, enlarge, expand, endow, finance, fund, subsidize, arrange, organize, systematize, systemize, refound, reinitiate, reinstitute, relaunch
    opposite: close (down), phase out, shut (up)
    near: abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify, end, finish, halt, stop, terminate, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

  4. to cause to function

    "trying to start the car on a frigid morning"

    similar: activate, actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, touch off, trigger, turn on
    related: kick over, turn over, charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push, discharge, launch, release, switch, trip, reactivate, recharge, arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize, ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up, accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up
    opposite: cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off
    near: arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop, decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress

  5. to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)

    "I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream"

    similar: bolt, jump, startle
    related: jerk, jolt, twitch, blench, cringe, flinch, quail, recoil, shrink, spook, squinch, wince, bound, leap, spring, react, respond

  6. to extend outward beyond a usual point

    "frightened horses with starting eyes"

    similar: bag, balloon, beetle, belly, billow, bulge, bunch, jut, overhang, poke, pooch (chiefly dialect), pouch, pout, project, protrude, stand out, stick out, swell
    related: dome, blow up, inflate, dilate, distend, expand, mushroom, snowball, elongate, extend, lengthen, stretch
    near: compress, condense, constrict, contract, shrink

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Anything

The most common words with a similar meaning to Anything:

something, what all, whatever, whatnot, whichever

Origin & Etymology of Anything

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Anything

anything like, anything but, anything goes, anything near, anything to do with, if anything, amount to anything, apart from anything else

Frequently Asked Questions about Anything

What does "Anything" mean?

"Anything" means any thing whatever, any such thing. As an a pronoun and an adverb, it is defined as: any thing whatever, any such thing.

What is another word for "Anything"?

Other words for "Anything" include something, what all, whatever, whatnot and whichever. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Anything" you intend.

How do you use "Anything" in a sentence?

Examples of "Anything" in a sentence: "I can't get anything done with this noise distracting me."; "Despite searching the library multiple times, he was unable to find anything related to the topic of his research.".

Is "Anything" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Anything" can be used as a pronoun and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Anything"?

"Anything" is pronounced /ˈe-nē-ˌthiŋ/ and divided into syllables as any·thing.

What is the origin of the word "Anything"?

First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Anything" meaning "any of various things that might exist or occur"?

When "Anything" (pronoun) means any of various things that might exist or occur, synonyms include something, what all, whatever, whatnot and whichever.

What does "Anything" mean as a pronoun?

As a pronoun, "Anything" means: any thing whatever, any such thing.