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an‧y‧thing S1 W1

1 any thing, event, situation etc, when it is not important to say exactly which :
You can buy anything you want.
He was prepared to do anything to make a bit of money.
Anything would be better than staying at home!
You can buy anything you want.
He was prepared to do anything to make a bit of money.
Anything would be better than staying at home!2 used in questions to mean 'something' :
Is there anything I can do to help?
Do you want anything from the shops?
Would you like anything else to eat?
Is there anything I can do to help?
Do you want anything from the shops?
Would you like anything else to eat?3 used in negative sentences to mean no thing, event, etc :
We didn't have anything to eat for three days.
Don't do anything until we get there.
We didn't have anything to eat for three days.
Don't do anything until we get there.4 used to emphasize that someone or something does not have a particular quality :
Maria is anything but stupid!
anything but
Maria is anything but stupid!5 similar in any way to something or someone else :
You don't look anything like your mother.
If you're anything like me, you'll want to be where the action is.
anything like somebody/something
You don't look anything like your mother.
If you're anything like me, you'll want to be where the action is.6 used to emphasize a negative sentence :
We don't have anything like enough money to buy a new car.
not anything like/near
spoken
We don't have anything like enough money to buy a new car.7 extremely important/clear etc :
He was as nice as anything to me.
as important/clear/big etc as anything
informal
He was as nice as anything to me.9 used to say that anything someone says or does is acceptable :
From what other people were wearing, it looked like anything goes.
anything goes
informal
From what other people were wearing, it looked like anything goes.10 if you will not do something for anything, you will definitely not do it :
I wouldn't go back there for anything.
for anything
informal
I wouldn't go back there for anything.11 if you do something like anything, you do it a lot :
We all encouraged him like anything.
like anything
informal
We all encouraged him like anything.12 used when you are adding something to emphasize what you have just said :
Sam didn't seem too disappointed at losing. If anything, he seemed relieved that it was all over.
if anything
spoken
Sam didn't seem too disappointed at losing. If anything, he seemed relieved that it was all over.13 used to tell someone you agree with what they suggest :
Yes, of course, anything you say.
anything you say
spoken
Yes, of course, anything you say.