everything
pronoun
UKˈev.ri.θɪŋUSˈɛv.ri.θɪŋ
All things; the total amount or number of things.
Example Sentences
Everything will be okay in the end.
He lost everything in the fire.
Is everything ready for the trip?
She wants to control everything around her.
We should consider everything before making a final decision.
He believes everything is connected in some way.
My grandmother always reminded me that everything happens for a reason, and it's often beyond our immediate understanding.
During the summer vacation, we explored everything the city had to offer, from its hidden local cafés to bustling downtown markets filled with international visitors.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Refers to all items or elements, collectively and without exception.“Everything” functions as a pronoun that collectively denotes all items, details, or aspects within a given context. You might say, “Tell me everything,” to request a complete account without omission. In everyday conversation, it can sum up the full scope of a situation: “We’ve got everything we need,” indicating that no crucial element is missing. When giving instructions, you could emphasize thoroughness—“Make sure you pack everything on the checklist,” or “He wants everything in its proper place before the meeting.” Because “everything” is inherently broad, it often pairs with qualifiers or clarifiers to narrow scope, such as “everything about digital marketing” or “everything from the pantry.” This single word can express near-absolute coverage, which is handy in both casual chats (“She told me everything about her trip”) and formal settings (“We analyzed everything in the report”). Be mindful of context: sometimes “everything” might be too general if precision is needed. In writing or presentations, combine “everything” with specifics or enumerations to give a clear sense of completeness—like “everything including design, logistics, and final delivery.” Ultimately, “everything” neatly highlights the totality of items, ideas, or information, ensuring that nothing is excluded from the scope you describe.
Alternatives
If you’d like to avoid repeating “everything” or add different nuances, consider pronouns and phrases like “all,” “the whole lot,” “the entirety,” or “every last detail.” “All” acts as a concise, direct replacement: “We’ve got all we need.” If the mood is casual or slightly playful, “the whole lot” may fit better—“She bought the whole lot of vintage records.” “The entirety” can sound more formal or academic, for instance, “We discussed the entirety of the proposal.” Meanwhile, “every last detail” underscores thoroughness or meticulousness—“He wanted to review every last detail of the contract.” Each choice hints at a comprehensive span of items or information, though with different levels of formality or expressiveness. By tailoring your word choice to context, you keep your language varied, whether you’re conveying a lighthearted sense of totality among friends or a business-like thoroughness in professional communications. This range of synonyms helps maintain clarity about the scope you’re referencing, ensuring your audience understands just how broad or complete your statement is intended to be.
Writing
When writing with “everything,” clarity is essential because the word covers a vast umbrella of concepts, items, or details. Consider pairing it with context clues to guide the reader on precisely what is included. For instance, writing, “We explored everything from historical documents to eyewitness accounts,” specifies that “everything” spans a certain range of evidence. You might also refine it with categorical phrases—“everything related to marketing analytics” or “everything in her travel itinerary”—which helps readers see the boundaries of your discussion. If you’re producing formal or academic work, bear in mind that “everything” can occasionally feel too broad or vague unless it’s self-evident from context. In such cases, rephrase to “all elements,” “each component,” or “the complete dataset” to provide specificity and maintain credibility. However, in narrative or descriptive passages, “everything” can convey a powerful sense of totality, capturing the grand scope of a scene or emotion—“She felt everything at once: happiness, relief, and awe.” Ultimately, use “everything” strategically when it authentically denotes comprehensiveness, pairing it with vivid details or clarifications to keep your text both expansive and precise, ensuring readers grasp the full extent of your statement.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “everything” is a handy catch-all for covering the full picture. You might say, “I told you everything about my day,” implying no detail was left out, or “Bring everything you need for the camping trip,” reminding someone to prepare thoroughly. It’s also common to hear, “Everything’s fine,” reassuring friends or family that all aspects of a situation are okay. In more lighthearted scenarios, “I ate everything on my plate” can show enthusiasm, while phrases like “I tried everything and still couldn’t fix it” convey exasperation. Because “everything” is so broad, it’s great for quickly suggesting completeness or variety without going into specifics—perfect for relaxed chats where deep detail isn’t necessary. When you do want to elaborate, you can follow up with examples—“I had everything: salad, pizza, and dessert”—to add flavor and clarity. This approach keeps your conversations friendly and clear, letting people know the scope of your statement in a natural, unforced way.
Etymology
The pronoun “everything” fuses two Old English roots: “æfre” (ever) and “þing” (thing). Over time, early forms of English combined variations of ‘all/every’ with ‘thing’ to construct a single term indicating all items or aspects. This evolution parallels other Germanic languages that similarly merged universal quantifiers with nouns referencing objects or matters. As the language developed, “everything” grew to encompass not just tangible objects but also intangible concepts—ideas, feelings, details—expanding its utility in everyday speech and writing. In Middle English literature, the word was often spelled as “euerything” or “euerithyng,” reflecting spelling differences before English orthography standardized. Though spellings changed, the intent remained constant: a concise way to denote the total sum of whatever category is at hand. Today, “everything” retains the broad inclusiveness of its origins, letting speakers effortlessly communicate a sweeping range—be it the physical contents of a room, the comprehensive details of a story, or the sum of abstract experiences that shape a life.
