something

1.adverbB1

Definition

used before an adjective, adverb, or the word 'like' to express that something is true or correct only to a limited or approximate degree

Example

Elena's new flat is something larger than her old one near the station.

something + [comparative adjective] — for approximate comparison

The hotel was something like a castle, with tall towers and stone walls.

something like + [noun] — for approximation

Common collocations

something like
something of
something over
something under

Synonyms

somewhat
more formal; can replace 'something' in most adverbial uses
rather
more common in British English; stronger degree of modification
fairly
more common in everyday speech; implies a reasonable degree

Grammar Patterns

something + [adjective/adverb]

something like + [noun/phrase]

something of + [a] + [noun]

something + over/under + [number]

Usage Note

This adverbial use of 'something' is most common in informal speech, especially with 'like' or 'of'. The pattern 'something of a + noun' is a fixed expression meaning 'to some extent; a kind of.' Using 'something' directly before an adjective (e.g. 'something awkward') sounds somewhat dated or literary.

1.pronounA2

Definition

a word used to refer to a thing, action, feeling, or situation whose exact identity you do not know, cannot remember, or choose not to name

Example

Owen found something shiny under the sofa while he was cleaning the living room.

something + adjective (shiny) for an unknown item

There is something about the way Sari tells stories that makes everyone pay close attention.

there is something about + noun phrase (quality)

Common collocations

something else
something like
something about
something of
something to do
something to eat/drink/read

Synonyms

a thing
more explicit; used when you want to name the category rather than leave it vague

Antonyms

nothing
the complete absence of any thing

Grammar Patterns

something + adjective (e.g. something important)

something + to-infinitive (e.g. something to eat)

something + that-clause (e.g. something that matters)

there is something + prepositional phrase (e.g. there is something in the box)

Usage Note

In true questions, 'anything' is more common (e.g., 'Did you find anything?'). Use 'something' when making an offer or polite request (e.g., 'Would you like something to drink?') or when you expect a yes answer. In negative sentences, use 'anything' (e.g., 'I did not find anything').

Common Mistakes

I want some thing to drink.

I want something to drink.

'something' is always one word, never two.

I did not find something.

I did not find anything.

In negative sentences, use 'anything', not 'something'.

2.pronounB1

Definition

a positive point or thing that you feel grateful for or that gives you comfort, especially when you are going through a difficult or unpleasant situation

Example

Being alive was something the Chen family felt thankful for after the flood.

be + something + to-infinitive (reason for gratitude)

Dr. Okafor told the team they had something worth celebrating from the project.

at least + have + something worth + gerund

Common collocations

at least something
something worth celebrating
something to be thankful for
still something
that is something

Synonyms

a comfort
focuses on emotional relief rather than general gratitude
a bright spot
idiomatic; highlights a positive detail in a negative overall picture

Antonyms

nothing
when there is no positive point to appreciate

Grammar Patterns

at least + there is + something

that is + something

it is something + that-clause

be + something + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Often appears after expressions like 'at least', 'well', or 'still', and in the fixed phrase 'that's something' to mean 'that is a positive point worth acknowledging'. This sense is almost always used in positive contexts where the speaker is looking for a bright side.

Common Mistakes

I'm something for your help.

I'm grateful for your help.

'something' itself does not mean 'grateful'; use 'grateful' or 'thankful' to express thanks.

That's some thing to be happy about.

That's something to be happy about.

One word, not two, even in this sense.

Idioms

or something

idiom

used at the end of a statement to show that you are not certain about what you have just said, or that the word you chose may not be exactly right

Hannah said she was feeling tired or something and went home early from the party.

We could meet for coffee or something after the meeting tomorrow afternoon.

something to do with

idiom

connected with or related to a particular subject, person, or activity

Karim works for a company that has something to do with solar energy and battery storage.

The argument was something to do with money, but no one explained the details to me.

something like

idiom

used to give an approximate idea of a number, amount, or description, without being exact

The repair will cost something like two hundred dollars, depending on the parts needed.

Élise described the dessert as something like a sweet pancake with fruit on top.

something else

idiom

(informal) a person or thing that is very unusual, impressive, or remarkable

The way Andrés played the guitar at the concert last night was really something else.

Nkechi told me that the view from the top of the mountain was something else entirely.

make something of yourself

idiom

To become successful in life through your own efforts.

Maya worked hard to make something of herself after college.

Did Brian make something of himself after moving to the city?

Word family

somebody
pronounA2
someone
pronounA2
somewhere
adverbA2
somewhat
adverbB2
somehow
adverbB1
sometime
adverbB1
sometimes
adverbA1

Synonym discussion

Sense: pronoun/1

Something is the vaguest and most general of these words — it refers to an unspecified entity without naming its category. A thing is more explicit: it names the category ("an object, fact, or idea") rather than leaving it vague. An item is a single unit within a list or collection, often used in shopping, inventories, or menus ("each item on the agenda"). An object is a physical, tangible thing you can see or touch ("a metal object on the desk"). Stuff is an uncountable collective term for a group of things, often informal and implying a miscellaneous mix ("stuff in the garage"). Anything differs from something in its distribution: anything appears in questions, negatives, and conditionals ("Did you find anything?"), while something appears in positive statements, offers, and polite requests ("Would you like something?"). Examples: "I need something from the shop" (vague) vs. "I need a specific item from the shop" (specific category). "There is something in the bag" vs. "There is a metal object in the bag" (physical and tangible). "Do you have anything to eat?" (open question) vs. "Would you like something to eat?" (polite offer).

thing ↗item ↗object ↗stuff ↗anything ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

something like
or something
something of
something else
something about
something to do with
something of a
something over
something under
something between

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Old English sum þing ("a certain thing"), formed from sum ("some, a certain") and þing ("thing, entity, object"). The two words were written separately in Old and Middle English, and only became fused into a single compound in the early Modern English period. The adverbial sense ("to some degree") emerged in the 16th century, and the suffixal use for age ranges ("twentysomething") was popularized by the 1987 US television drama thirtysomething.

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something

something — adverb

1. used before an adjective, adverb, or the word 'like' to express that something i

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

something — pronoun

1. a word used to refer to a thing, action, feeling, or situation whose exact ident

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a positive point or thing that you feel grateful for or that gives you comfort,

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

or something

something to do with

something like

something else

make something of yourself

something — suffix

1. attached to a number that is a multiple of ten to indicate that a person's age f

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Phrases

Etymology

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