I. |enē, -ni sometimes _ən- or, after t or d, ə n- adjective
Etymology: Middle English any, eny, from Old English ǣnig (akin to Old Frisian ēnig, Old High German einag, Old Norse einigr anyone, no one), from ān one + -ig -y — more at one
1. : one indifferently out of more than two : one or some indiscriminately of whatever kind:
a. : one or another : this, that, or the other — used as a function word especially in interrogative and conditional expressions to indicate one that is not a particular or definite individual of the given category but whichever one chance may select
did you experience any trouble
if any defect appears
ask any man you meet
b. : one, no matter what one : every — used as a function word especially in assertions and denials to indicate one that is selected without restriction or limitation of choice
any child would know that
forbidden to enter any house
c. : one or some of whatever kind or sort ; especially : one or some however imperfect — used as a function word to indicate one that is selected with indifference to quality
any plan is better than no plan
2. : one, some, or all indiscriminately of whatever quantity:
a. : one or more : not none — used as a function word to indicate a positive but undetermined number or amount
I can't find any stamps
have you any money
b. : all — used as a function word to indicate the maximum or whole of a number or quantity
give me any letters you find
he needs any help he can get
c. : a or some no matter how great or small — used as a function word to indicate what is considered despite its quantity or extent
determined to win at any cost
it is good of you to pay any attention to him
3.
a. : great, unmeasured, or unlimited in amount, quantity, number, time, or extent : up to whatever measure may be needed or desired
the falls can produce any quantity of water power
could have seen him any time last week
b. : appreciably or at all large, prolonged, or extended in amount, quantity, time, or extent — used with a preceding negative
could not endure it any length of time
could not walk any distance without falling
II. pronoun
( plural any )
Etymology: Middle English any, eny from Old English ǣnig, from ǣnig, adjective
1. : one or more indiscriminately from all those of a kind:
a. : any person or persons : anybody
asked if there were any present who had remembered
any of them could answer the question
b. : any thing or things : any part, quantity, or number
promised not to lose any of the books
a scene as effective as any in modern drama
no money and no prospect of any
2. now dialect England : one of two : either
III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English any, eny, from any, eny, adjective
: to any extent : in any degree : at all
he won't be any happier there
he could not walk any farther
you certainly aren't helping me any