anybody

Is there anybody in the classroom?

Definition

1. Pronoun:
   • Any person: "anybody" refers to any person, without restriction or specification; it is synonymous with "anyone."
   • A person of importance or influence: (informal) "anybody" can mean a notable or significant person, as in "somebody who matters."

Usage Examples

• Any person:
  • Does anybody know the answer? (Is there any person who knows?)
  • Anybody can learn to cook with practice. (Every person is capable of learning.)
• A person of importance:
  • She acts like she is anybody, but she is just a clerk. (She behaves as if she is important, but she is ordinary.)
  • He is not anybody in this company. (He holds no significant position.)

Advanced Usage

• "anybody else": any other person.
  • Is anybody else coming to the party? (Are there any additional people coming?)
• "anybody's guess": something that is uncertain or unknown.
  • What will happen next is anybody's guess. (No one can predict it.)
• "anybody who is anybody": all important or influential people.
  • All the celebrities were there — anybody who is anybody. (Every notable person attended.)

Variants and Related Words

• Anybody (n): (informal) a person of importance (as in "he is a nobody, not an anybody").
  • She wants to become an anybody in the art world. (She wants to become influential.)
• Anybody (adv): (rare, non-standard) in any way; not commonly used.

Synonyms

• Anyone: any person at all.
  • Anyone can join the club. (Any person is welcome.)
• Any person: the literal equivalent.
  • Any person found trespassing will be fined. (Each individual who trespasses.)

Related Idioms

• Anybody's ball game: a situation where the outcome is uncertain.
  • The election is still anybody's ball game. (Either candidate could win.)
• Anybody's call: a decision that is open to interpretation.
  • Whether it is art or not is anybody's call. (It is a matter of opinion.)