Any which way
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.
whatever or whichever it may be:
cheap at any price.
in whatever quantity or number, great or small; some:
Do you have any butter?
every; all:
Any schoolboy would know that. Read any books you find on the subject.
(following a negative) at all:
She can’t endure any criticism.
an unspecified person or persons; anybody; anyone:
He does better than any before him.
a single one or ones; an unspecified thing or things; a quantity or number:
We don’t have any left.
in whatever degree; to some extent; at all:
Do you feel any better?
any which way, in any manner whatever; indifferently or carelessly:
Doing your work any which way is just not good enough.
determiner
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
(as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): take any you like
(usually used with a negative)
even the smallest amount or even one: I can’t stand any noise
(as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): don’t give her any
whatever or whichever; no matter what or which: any dictionary will do, any time of day
an indefinite or unlimited amount or number (esp in the phrases any amount or number): any number of friends
adverb
(usually used with a negative)
(foll by a comparative adjective) to even the smallest extent: it isn’t any worse now
(not standard) at all: he doesn’t care any
adj.
Old English ænig “any, anyone,” literally “one-y,” from Proto-Germanic *ainagas (cf. Old Saxon enig, Old Norse einigr, Old Frisian enich, Dutch enig, German einig), from PIE *oi-no- “one, unique” (see one). The -y may have diminutive force here.
Emphatic form any old ______ (British variant: any bloody ______) is recorded from 1896. At any rate is recorded from 1847. Among the large family of compounds beginning with any-, anykyn “any kind” (c.1300) did not survive, and Anywhen (1831) is rarely used, but OED calls it “common in Southern [British] dialects.”
any day
any longer
any number of
any old
any port in a storm
also see:
at any rate
by any means
go to any length
in any case
under any (no) circumstances
Read Also:
- Anywise
in any way or respect. Historical Examples This spur is one of the few points from which the mass of the Mont Cervin is in anywise approachable. The Stones of Venice, Volume I (of 3) John Ruskin This did not shew that he cared much for our presence, or was in anywise interested in it. […]
- Anymore
any longer. nowadays; presently. Contemporary Examples The tiny screen, cramped seats and no line in the ladies room was a reminder that we are not in L.A. anymore! The True-ish Story of the Lovable Pot-Smoking Chimp Nicole LaPorte January 20, 2011 Then again,” he adds, “this case has so many twists and turns that nothing […]
- Anyway
in any case; anyhow; nonetheless; regardless: Whether you like it or not, I’m going anyway. (used to continue or resume the thread of a story or account): Anyway, we finally found a plumber who could come right over. Contemporary Examples The law stopped him from buying a gun–and he did it anyway. There’s Little We […]
- Anybodies
any person. a person of some importance: If you’re anybody, you’ll receive an invitation. anybody’s guess, a matter of conjecture: It’s anybody’s guess why she quit. Historical Examples She said she never saw anything like it on anybodies toomstone so I guess itll be all right. “Same old Bill, eh Mable!” Edward Streeter pronoun any […]
- Anybodys
any person. a person of some importance: If you’re anybody, you’ll receive an invitation. anybody’s guess, a matter of conjecture: It’s anybody’s guess why she quit. Historical Examples Woman, groaned Joseph Stagg, it doesnt matter whose fault it isor if its anybodys fault. Carolyn of the Corners Ruth Belmore Endicott The point is not his […]