anything
/ˈɛnɪθɪŋ
/pronoun [usually with negative or in questions]
1Used to refer to a thing, no matter what: nobody was saying anything have you found anything? he inquired whether there was anything he could do...
- Nobody said anything though, and it may have just been dismissed as a jokey comment.
- We are left wondering whether they had anything more to offer than tea and sympathy.
- I do not know whether there is anything else that you might be able to assist us on?
1.1 [without negative] Used for emphasis: I was ready for anything...
- The family had stocked up on food and water and was ready for anything, he said.
- The next day I came back to work truly rested and ready for anything the world could throw at me.
- On the evidence of the past year, she seems ready for anything the stage can throw at her.
1.2Used to indicate a range: he trains anything from seven to eight hours a day...
- As a common law offence, the punishment can carry anything up to a life sentence.
- Security locks can cost anything from £3 to £80.
- The client can decide on the length and duration of the game walk, anything from a strenuous 3- hour hike to a more leisurely 30-minute stroll.
Phrases
anything but
anything like ——
(as) —— as anything
or anything