any

UK: /ˈɛni/ US: /ˈɛni/ ,(en′ē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

an•y /ˈɛni/   adj. [before a noun]

1. one, a, an, or some;
   one or more without being specific or without identifying:
   [in questions] Do you have any cigarettes?
   [with negative words or phrases]
   I wasn't in any danger.
   [in sentences with "if''] If you have any witnesses, produce them.
2. whatever or whichever it may be;
   no matter which:
   Buy that at any price.
3. [in questions] in whatever quantity or number, great or small;
   some: Do you have any butter? Do you see any holes there?
4. every;
   all:
   Any schoolchild would know that.
5. [with negative words] at all;
   none (of a particular thing):
   She can't endure any criticism.

pron. 

6. an unspecified person or persons;
   anybody;
   anyone:
   He did better than any before him.
7. a single one or ones;
   an unspecified thing or things;
   a quantity or number: [with negative words]
   We do not have any left.
   [in questions] Don't you have any?

adv. 

8. in whatever degree;
   to some extent;
   at all:
   [in questions] Do you feel any better?
   [with negative words]
   I can't go on any longer.

Idioms

9. Idioms, any which way, in any manner whatever;
   carelessly.

Usage

See some.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

an•y  (en′ē), adj. 

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.

pron. 

6. an unspecified person or persons;
   anybody;
   anyone:
   He does better than any before him.
7. a single one or ones;
   an unspecified thing or things;
   a quantity or number:
   We don't have any left.

adv. 

8. in whatever degree;
   to some extent;
   at all:
   Do you feel any better?
9. any which way, in any manner whatever;
   indifferently or carelessly:
   Doing your work any which way is just not good enough.

• Middle English eni, ani, Old English ǣnig (Old English ān one + -ig -y¹) bef. 950

Synonyms

• 3. See some. 

Usage

See anybody, anyone, anyplace, anyway, either, they. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

any / ˈɛnɪ/ determiner

1. one, some, or several, as specified, no matter how much or many, what kind or quality, etc: any cheese in the fridge is yours, you may take any clothes you like
2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): take any you like
3. (usually used with a negative) even the smallest amount or even one: I can't stand any noise
4. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): don't give her any
5. whatever or whichever; no matter what or which: any dictionary will do, any time of day
6. 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)(followed by a comparative adjective) to even the smallest extent: it isn't any worse now

Etymology: Old English ǣnig; related to Old Frisian ēnig, Old High German einag, Old Norse einigr anyone, Latin ūnicus unique; see an¹, one