anything

Universal Words pronoun 1 used instead of something in negative sentences and in questions; after if/whether; and after verbs such as prevent, ban, avoid: Would you like anything else? * There's never anything worth watching on TV. * If you remember anything at all, please let us know. * We hope to prevent anything unpleasant from happening. HELPNOTE The difference between anything and something is the same as the difference between any and some. Look at the notes there. 2 any thing at all, when it does not matter which: I'm so hungry, I'll eat anything. 3 any thing of importance: Is there anything (= any truth) in these rumours? IDIOMS anything but definitely not: The hotel was anything but cheap. * It wasn't cheap. Anything but. as happy, quick, etc. as anything (informal) very happy, quick, etc: I felt as pleased as anything. like anything (BrE, informal) very much: They're always slagging me off like anything. not anything like sb (informal) not at all like; completely different from: He isn't anything like my first boss. not anything like used to emphasize that sth is not as good, not enough, etc: The book wasn't anything like as good as her first one. not for anything (informal) definitely not: I wouldn't give it up for anything. or anything (spoken) or another thing of a similar type: If you want to call a meeting or anything, just let me know.