any

[en-ee]

adjective

1. one, a, an, or some; one or more without specification or identification.

   If you have any witnesses, produce them. Pick out any six you like.

2. whatever or whichever it may be.

   cheap at any price.

3. in whatever quantity or number, great or small; some.

   Do you have any butter?

4. every; all.

   Any schoolboy would know that. Read any books you find on the subject.

5. (following a negative) at all.

   She can't endure any criticism.

pronoun

1. an unspecified person or persons; anybody; anyone.

   He does better than any before him.

2. a single one or ones; an unspecified thing or things; a quantity or number.

   We don't have any left.

adverb

1. in whatever degree; to some extent; at all.

   Do you feel any better?

any

/ ˈɛnɪ /

determiner

1. 1. one, some, or several, as specified, no matter how much or many, what kind or quality, etc

      any cheese in the cupboard is yours

      you may take any clothes you like

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural )

      take any you like

2. (usually used with a negative)

   1. even the smallest amount or even one

      I can't stand any noise

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural )

      don't give her any

3. whatever or whichever; no matter what or which

   any dictionary will do

   any time of day

4. an indefinite or unlimited amount or number (esp in the phrases any amount or number )

   any number of friends

adverb

1. (usually used with a negative)

   1. (foll by a comparative adjective) to even the smallest extent

      it isn't any worse now

   2. not_standard,  at all

      he doesn't care any

Confusables Note

See some.

Word History and Origins

Origin of any¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English eni, ani, Old English ǣnig ( Old English ān one + -ig -y ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of any¹

Old English ǣnig; related to Old Frisian ēnig, Old High German einag, Old Norse einigr anyone, Latin ūnicus unique; see _an ¹ , _one

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. any which way, in any manner whatever; indifferently or carelessly.

   Doing your work any which way is just not good enough.

More idioms and phrases containing any

• at any rate
• by any means
• go to any length
• in any case
• under any (no) circumstances

Example Sentences

I don’t think it’s up to me to try to change any minds about it, only to do the best job I possibly can at uplifting this gorgeous, perfect story.

From Los Angeles Times

The effort needed to win points against Alcaraz - especially in a tight second set which you felt he needed to win to stand any chance of turning the match around - guzzled too much fuel.

From BBC

If at any point she feels unsafe, the whole operation will be pulled.

From BBC

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown: "That's what Steve Clarke will have wanted. The players had to dig deep - everyone gave a solid performance. Denmark had a lot of possession but hardly any clear-cut chances."

From BBC

The mark of any true theme park aficionado is an appreciation of slow-moving, old-school dark rides, attractions that are set in darkened show buildings and often filled with an assortment of vignettes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• all 
• each 
• either 
• several