Everything

/ˈɛvriθɪŋ/

pronounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

All things; the totality of things.

/ˈɛvriθɪŋ/

pronounneutralBeginner
General

All things; all the things that exist or are available.

I need to buy everything for the party.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're listing everything in your room – your bed, your books, your toys, everything! It means all the stuff.

👶 For kids: All the things!

More Examples

2

She tried to remember everything she had to do.

3

He considered everything before making a decision.

How It's Used

General conversation

"She packed everything she needed for the trip."

Shopping

"The store has everything you could want."

2

To the fullest extent; completely.

/ˈɛvriθɪŋ/

adverbneutralmedium
Degree

To a complete degree; completely.

The new job changed everything for him.

💡 Simply: It's like when something is the absolute most – like, 'The ice cream made everything better!'

👶 For kids: All the way!

More Examples

2

The new regulations affect everything about how we do business.

3

He gave up everything to follow his dream.

How It's Used

Emphasis

"The experience changed everything."

Tip:Think of 'everything' as the ultimate level or degree of something.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Everything but the kitchen sink

Almost everything; a great variety of items.

"They packed everything but the kitchen sink for their camping trip."

Everything is relative

Situations or things are not necessarily fixed, but are dependent on the circumstances or point of view.

"When it comes to opinions, everything is relative; what one person loves, another may hate."

From 'every' + 'thing', evolving from Old English 'æfre' (ever) and 'þing' (thing). Represents all things collectively.

Used since Old English times, evolving from simple compounds to the current all-encompassing meaning.

Memory tip

Think of an imaginary box and putting every single item into it. The contents of the box represent everything.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"All things; Every thing"

everything iseverything elseeverything youeverything Ieverything possible

Common misspellings

everythigeverytingeverythin

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written