ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anytime

adv. time
A2 Elementary US //ˈɛniˌtaɪm// UK //ˈɛnɪtˌaɪm// any·time Informal

adv. at any time you want or at a time that is not specific. You can use it to say that something is always possible or welcome.

adv. at any time whatsoever; without restriction as to the moment or occasion.


SIMPLE

You can call me anytime if you need help.

CONTEXTUAL

The gym is open twenty-four hours a day, so members can go anytime that fits their schedule.

COMPLEX

While the official deadline is Friday, the professor mentioned that students could submit their final drafts anytime during the preceding week to receive early feedback.

Origin

From Middle English any time, ony tyme, from Old English ǣniġum tīman, equivalent to any + time.

Usage

Often used as a one-word response to 'thank you' in informal speech to mean 'you are welcome'.

Pitfall

I can meet you any time.I can meet you anytime.While 'any time' (two words) is always grammatically correct, 'anytime' (one word) is specifically used as an adverb to mean 'whenever'.

© 2026 English Reference