Something — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

pronoun adverb noun /ˈsəm(p)-thiŋ/ some·thing

Meaning & Definition of Something

Something (pronoun)

  1. some indeterminate or unspecified thing
  2. some indeterminate amount more than a specified number —used in combination
  3. a person or thing of consequence

Something (adverb)

  1. in some degree, somewhat
  2. —used as an intensive giving adverbial force to an adjective

Something (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one that has a real and independent existence

    "I heard something fall off the counter"

    similar: being, commodity, entity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, reality, substance, thing
    related: body, subject, material, matter, quantity, stuff
    near: nonentity

Something (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to some degree or extent

    "a person of something less than total honesty"

    similar: enough, fairly, kind of, kindly (chiefly Southern), like, moderately, more or less, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, somewhat, sort of, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite, a tad, a touch, of sorts, to a degree
    related: acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly, partway
    near: awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally, particularly, surpassingly, terribly, very, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially

Related Entry: Something else (phrase)

Something else is a different word from Something. The synonyms below are for something else, not for something.

  1. something very good of its kind

    "That gourmet meal was really something else!"

    similar: beaut, beauty, bee's knees, cat's meow, corker, crackerjack, daisy, dandy, dilly, doozy, dream, honey, hot stuff, humdinger, hummer, jim-dandy, knockout, lollapalooza, lulu (slang), nifty, peach, pip, pippin, ripper, ripsnorter, snorter, sockdolager, standout, sweetheart
    related: marvel, phenomenon, prodigy, sensation, wonder, catch, crown jewel, diamond, gem, imperial, jewel, pearl, plum, treasure
    near: bust, disappointment, dud, failure, flop, lemon, letdown, loser, stinker, turkey

Related Entry: Amount (to) (verb)

Amount (to) is a different word from Something. The synonyms below are for amount (to), not for something.

  1. to have a total of

    "the expenses of the trip amounted to nearly double what we'd budgeted for"

    similar: add up (to), aggregate, come (to), count (up to), number, sum (to or into), total, clock in at
    related: average, equal, measure, reach, compose, comprise, constitute, make up

  2. to be the same in meaning or effect

    "it makes no difference whether you're going to the game or the movies, for it amounts to the same thing—that you can't babysit"

    similar: add up (to), come (to), correspond (to), emulate, equal
    related: approach, match, measure (up), meet, rival, touch, connote, denote, express, import, mean, signify, smack (of), spell, suggest

Related Entry: Start (verb)

Start is a different word from Something. The synonyms below are for start, not for something.

  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

Related Entry: Set (something) straight (phrase)

Set (something) straight is a different word from Something. The synonyms below are for set (something) straight, not for something.

  1. to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff

    "You need to set your room straight before you go."

    similar: clean (up), pick up, tidy (up), clean house
    related: houseclean, housekeep, clean (off), clean (up), neaten, police (up), straighten (up), turn out, unclutter, arrange, order
    near: clutter, disarrange, mess (up)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Something

The most common words with a similar meaning to Something:

Chiefly Southern: kindly
being, commodity, entity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, reality, substance, thing, enough, fairly, kind of, like, moderately, more or less, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, somewhat, sort of, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite, a tad, a touch, of sorts, to a degree

Related Words for Something

body, subject, material, matter, quantity, stuff, acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly, partway

Near Antonyms of Something

nonentity, awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally, particularly, surpassingly, terribly, very, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially

Origin & Etymology of Something

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Something

Words & Phrases Containing Something

something else, something fierce, something has (got) to give, something like, something of, something or other, or something, start something

Frequently Asked Questions about Something

What does "Something" mean?

"Something" means some indeterminate or unspecified thing. As an a pronoun, an adverb and a noun, it is defined as: some indeterminate or unspecified thing. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Something"?

Other words for "Something" include being, commodity, entity, existent, individual, individuality, integer and object. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Something" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Something"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Something". Common alternatives include being, commodity, entity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, reality and substance.

How do you use "Something" in a sentence?

Examples of "Something" in a sentence: "I heard something fall off the counter"; "a person of something less than total honesty".

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

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

Is "Something" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Something" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Something"?

"Something" is pronounced /ˈsəm(p)-thiŋ/ and divided into syllables as some·thing.

What is the origin of the word "Something"?

First known use: before 12th century.