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.
