anymore
anymore
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/ˌɛniˈmɔːr/ (General American) or /ˌɛniˈmɔː/ (Received Pronunciation)
an - /ˌɛn/ (as in "any")
y - /i/ (as in "bee" or "see")
more - /ˈmɔːr/ (as in "more" with 'r' sound - General American) or /ˈmɔː/ (as in "more" without 'r' sound - Received Pronunciation)
Word Form Variations
Anymore" primarily functions as an adverb. It does not have singular/plural forms, tense inflections, or other variations.
Adverb: anymore
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Any longer; at the present time; currently. (Used in negative or interrogative contexts to indicate cessation of a state or action)
Example: "He doesn't live here anymore." "Do you work there anymore?"
Synonyms: any longer, currently, now, still (in negative contexts, e.g., "not still")
Antonyms: still, yet, always, perpetually, continually
(Informal, chiefly US) At present; currently; these days. (Used in affirmative statements, particularly in regional dialects, to mean "nowadays" or "these days")
Example: "Anymore, everyone uses smartphones."
Synonyms: nowadays, currently, these days, at present
Antonyms: formerly, in the past, once upon a time
Examples of Use
Books:
"The lights in the house didn't go on anymore, and a cold silence settled over the once-vibrant home." (Fictitious example, to illustrate a common literary use of describing cessation.)
Newspapers:
"Local businesses report that customers aren't spending as freely anymore, reflecting shifts in economic sentiment." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Is privacy truly possible online anymore? Experts weigh in on the challenges of digital anonymity." (Wired.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." (Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, 1939)
"People don't write letters anymore; it's all emails and texts." (Dialogue from a romantic comedy film, You've Got Mail, 1998)
"You don't see that kind of dedication anymore in sports." (Sports commentator on a podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"I don't eat meat anymore."
"Do you still work there anymore?"
"It doesn't bother me anymore."
"Anymore, people are always on their phones." (Used in affirmative, typically US regional dialect)
10 Quotes Using Anymore
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." (Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, 1939)
"Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded." (Yogi Berra)
"I can't take it anymore!" (Common expression of exasperation in film, literature, and general discourse)
"I don't love you anymore." (A widely recognized phrase from countless songs, films, and real-life breakups)
"People don't write letters anymore; it's all emails and texts." (A common observational phrase about changing habits)
"You just don't see that kind of dedication anymore in sports." (A frequent commentary by sports analysts or nostalgic individuals)
"It doesn't bother me anymore." (A common conversational phrase indicating emotional detachment or resolution)
"I don't believe in happy endings anymore." (A widely used phrase expressing disillusionment)
"The rules aren't what they used to be; you can't get away with that anymore." (A common observation about societal or legal changes)
"The way things were isn't the way they are anymore." (A general reflective phrase about change)
Etymology
The word "anymore" is actually a fairly modern word that combines two older English words to describe a change in time.
It's formed by putting together the words "any" and "more."
"Any" comes from Old English "ǣnig," meaning "one" or "any one."
"More" comes from Old English "māra," meaning "greater" or "additional."
So, when these two words started to be used together, particularly in negative statements or questions, the phrase "any more" literally meant "any additional" or "any longer."
The first known use of "anymore" as a single, combined word (written as one word or as "any more") appeared in English around the 1800s in the United States. Its original meaning was consistent with its primary use today: "any longer" or "at the present time," usually in sentences that say something is no longer happening or true. For example, "He doesn't live here anymore" means he doesn't live here any longer.
Interestingly, in some regional dialects, especially in the US, "anymore" also developed an affirmative meaning, similar to "nowadays" or "these days" (e.g., "Anymore, everyone uses smartphones"). This shows how language can evolve over time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Anymore
Not anymore (used to indicate cessation or change)
Don't do that anymore (a command to stop a recurring action)
Can't take it anymore (to reach a limit of tolerance or endurance)
Not a problem anymore (indicating a resolved issue)
Does X happen anymore? (a question about current frequency)
The way things are anymore (informal, often indicating a shift in common practice or current reality)
Not relevant anymore (indicating something is outdated or no longer applicable)
No longer (using a synonym for similar effect)
It's all over now (using a synonym, indicating an end to something)
A thing of the past (using a synonym for similar effect, referring to something that no longer exists)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of anymore from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
