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any

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adverb, determiner, pronoun American English pronunciation: any /ˈeni/
Any can be used in the following ways:
as a determiner (followed by a singular countable noun): It's a puzzle that any intelligent child could solve. (followed by a plural or uncountable noun): Are there any cookies left? ♦ He doesn't have any money.
as a pronoun (without a following noun): I looked around for toilet paper, but there wasn't any. (followed by "of"): Have you read any of his books?
as an adverb (usually followed by the comparative form of an adjective or adverb): Are you feeling any better?
Any is used especially in questions, in negative sentences, and in clauses with "if": Is there any coffee left? ♦ There weren't any complaints. ♦ I can lend you a map if that's any help.
 
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [usually in negatives or questions] used instead of "some" for saying or asking whether there is a small amount of something or a small number of people or things

    If you need any help, just let me know.

    I tried to get a ticket but there weren't any left.

    any of:

    Did any of her friends come?

    any...at all:

    Without any hesitation at all, Jane came forward to volunteer.

    few if any (=not many and possibly none):

    Few if any pianists have performed the Grieg concerto with such sensitivity.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of any
  2. 2
    used when it is not important to say which person or thing you are referring to, because what you are saying applies to everyone or everything

    If any member of the team was sick, Gary would take his place.

    It's a very simple test – any idiot could pass it.

    any of:

    It was the first time that any of us had been in a plane.

    any other:

    The new card can be used in the same way as any other credit card.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of any
    1. a.
      used when it is not important which person or thing you choose

      Pick any design you want – they're all the same price.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of any
  3. 3
    [always in negatives or questions] spoken used for emphasis after a verb to mean "at all"

    Have things improved any?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of any

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of any. View British English definition of any.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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