ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anywhere

adv. place
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈɛniˌwɛɹ// UK //ˈɛnɪwˌeə// any·where General-service Informal

adv. in, at, or to any place. You use it in questions or with negative words like 'not' to show that the specific location does not matter.

adv. in or to any place whatsoever. Frequently used in negative and interrogative clauses to indicate an indefinite location.


SIMPLE

I can't find my keys anywhere.

CONTEXTUAL

You can sit anywhere you like while you wait for the doctor to call your name.

COMPLEX

The search party failed to find any evidence of the missing hikers anywhere in the dense forest, despite using thermal imaging and trained dogs.

Synonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ís? Proto-Indo-European *h₁óynos Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Indo-European *h₁oy-no-kós Proto-Germanic *ainagaz Proto-West Germanic *ainag Old English ǣniġ Middle English ani English any Proto-Indo-European *kʷ- Proto-Indo-European *kʷís Proto-Germanic *hwaz Proto-Indo-European *-r Proto-Germanic *-r Proto-Germanic *hwar Proto-West Germanic *hwār Old English hwǣr Middle English wher English where English anywhere From any + where.

Usage

Commonly used in negative sentences and questions; in affirmative sentences, it emphasizes that the specific location is unimportant.

Pitfall

I didn't go nowhereI didn't go anywhereIn standard English, 'anywhere' is used with negative verbs to avoid a double negative.

© 2026 English Reference