any definition - Dictionary

MSN homeMailMy MSN

encartagreeting cards

encarta®

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Translations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

any

an·y [ énnee ] CORE MEANING: a grammatical word used to indicate one, some, or several, when the quality, type, or number is not important. It is also used as an intensifier with comparative adjectives and adverbs and a few other words.

(adj) Do you have any books on gardening?

(pron) for any who wish to enter

(adv) I'm not getting any younger.

Definition:

1. adjective even one or little: even one or even the least amount ( used in negative statements )

I don't want any dessert.

I didn't see any.

This isn't any of your business.

2. adjective every: every person or thing of a particular category or description, no matter who or what

Any financial adviser would agree.

3. adjective without limit: an unlimited or indefinite amount or number of

any number of foods including soups, stews, and salads

4. adverb in some degree: to even the smallest extent or degree ( before adjectives and adverbs )

Is it getting any louder?

You don't look any different.

5. adverb at all: used after a verb to add emphasis ( informal )

I still don't like him any.

Her manners haven't improved any.

[ Old English ǣnig< Indo-European, "one of a kind"]

Word Usage


	Singular or plural? Any used as a pronoun is followed by a singular or plural verb depending on the intended meaning: Any of these suggestions is acceptable. [i.e., any one of the suggestions is acceptable]. Are any of the children [i.e. more than one of several children] coming? (Is any of the children coming? implies that one is expected, with uncertainty as to which). In formal writing, avoid use of the adverb any alone after a verb, as in The criticism was harsh, but we didn't complain any, where any can be dropped or replaced by "at all."

Word Usage


	Do not use any old as an emphatic form of any in formal writing: You can use any [not any old] glue, provided that it is not soluble in water. Old should be added only when old is meant, as in Any old rag from the attic will do.