any
Pick one, indifferent
Any, like the indefinite articles a and an, is related to the idea of one.
It introduces an idea of generality or randomness that the indefinite articles do not convey, as in any person can apply for the job or any hotel will do.
Any is more typical in questions and negative sentences that would use some if expressed declaratively or positively: Is there any chicken left? He doesn’t have any money.
Like some, any serves in compound words: anyone, anywhere, anyhow, and others.
Indefinite quantity
- whateverExpression of apathy
- whicheverAny one at all
- unspecifiedNot explicitly named
- undefinedNot clearly delineated
vague · indefinite · nonspecific · general · open-ended · uncertain · ambiguous · nebulous
Chosen item or items
- optionAvailable course of action
- preferenceFavored choice among alternatives
- alternativeAnother available choice
- pickPointed breaking tool
whichever · whatever · either · decision · discretion · volition · judgment · deliberation
Based on personal whim
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- stochasticRandomly determined, statistically describable
- aleatoryGoverned by chance
unpredictable · whichever · whatever · indiscriminate · unsystematic · unplanned · casual
The complete quantity
- everyAll without exception
- everyoneAll people collectively
- everythingThe complete set
- whereverIn any location
whenever · whatever · inclusive · comprehensive · totality · entirety · whole · unrestricted
Lowest positive integer
- singleOne in number
- soleFoot's bottom surface
- loneExisting by itself
- individualOne separate human being
particular · even · slightest · least · whatsoever
some
Indefinite quantity
- whateverExpression of apathy
- whicheverAny one at all
- unspecifiedNot explicitly named
undefined · vague · indefinite · nonspecific · general · open-ended · uncertain · ambiguous · nebulous · imprecise
selection
Chosen item or items
- optionAvailable course of action
- preferenceFavored choice among alternatives
- alternativeAnother available choice
pick · whichever · whatever · either · decision · discretion · volition · judgment · deliberation · choosing
arbitrary
Based on personal whim
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- stochasticRandomly determined, statistically describable
aleatory · unpredictable · whichever · whatever · indiscriminate · unsystematic · unplanned · casual
all
The complete quantity
- everyAll without exception
- everyoneAll people collectively
- everythingThe complete set
wherever · whenever · whatever · inclusive · comprehensive · totality · entirety · whole · unrestricted · unconditional
one
Lowest positive integer
individual · particular · even · slightest · least · whatsoever
- any dayAt an unspecified near time
- anything elseAdditional matters unspecified
- anyone elseInquiry seeking additional participants
- any minuteExtremely soon expected
- any longerFor additional duration
- anybody elseAny other person
anyway, anyone, anything, anyhow, anybody, anywhere, anytime, anyways, anymore