adj.
- One, some, every, or all without specification: Take any book you want. Are there any messages for me? Any child would love that. Give me any food you don't want.
- Exceeding normal limits, as in size or duration: The patient cannot endure chemotherapy for any length of time.
Any one or more persons, things, or quantities.
adv.
To any degree or extent; at all: didn't feel any better.
[Middle English ani, from Old English ǣnig.]
USAGE NOTE When used as a pronoun, any can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on how it is construed: Any of these books is suitable (that is, any one). But are any (that is, some) of them available? • The construction of any is often used in informal contexts to mean "of all," as in He is the best known of any living playwright. In an earlier survey this example was unacceptable in writing to 67 percent of the Usage Panel. • Any is also used to mean "at all" before a comparative adjective or adverb in questions and negative sentences: Is she any better? Is he doing any better? He is not any friendlier than before. This usage is entirely acceptable. The related use of any to modify a verb is considered informal. In writing, one should avoid sentences like It didn't hurt any or If the child cries any, give her the bottle. See Usage Notes at every, they.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
