WordGarden.ioeverybody
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɛvrɪbˌɒdi/
US
- /ˈɛvriˌbɑdi/
Meanings
Pronoun
every person; all people in a group
Beyond the definition
"Everybody" seems simple enough: it means all the people in general or all the people in a certain group. You use it when something is true for all the people you are talking about. Think of a song with a message for "everybody," meaning it is meant for anyone who hears it.
You might hear "Everybody loves pizza!" (though that is probably not entirely true). Or, "The teacher asked if everybody understood the lesson." It is often used in general statements or when speaking to a group. One important thing to remember: even though it refers to many people, it is grammatically singular. This means you should say "Everybody is happy," not "Everybody are happy." It is common and natural in everyday English, and it often sounds a little more casual than "everyone."
"Everybody" is a pronoun that means all people as a whole or all the people in a particular group. For example, if you say "The new law affects everybody," you mean it affects all the people in that place or situation.
The word is often used to create a feeling of inclusion. A speaker might say, "Everybody has the potential to do well," to include each person listening. You also hear it in common sentences like "Everybody makes mistakes," which reminds us that no person is perfect.
It is usually interchangeable with "everyone." In many cases, the two words mean the same thing, but "everybody" can sound a little warmer or more casual in conversation. For example, a formal statement might say, "All people deserve respect," while in everyday speech someone is more likely to say, "Everybody deserves respect."
"Everybody" also works in many kinds of sentences. It can appear in questions, such as "Is everybody ready to go?" and in commands, such as "Everybody sit down!" Even though it points to many people, English treats it as singular when matching the verb. In short, it is a simple, useful word for talking about all the people involved.
Examples
- 1
Group waiting
Everybody was waiting outside when the bus arrived.
- 2
Work invitation
I invited everybody from work to the party.
- 3
Readiness check
Is everybody ready to start?
- 4
Family habit
Everybody in my family drinks tea except me.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Human need
Everybody wants to feel appreciated.
- 6
Mixed reaction
Not everybody liked the ending.
- 7
Other people
Everybody else had already gone home.
- Phraseeverybody else
all the other people
- 8
Group thanks
Thanks, everybody. See you next week.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- everybodypronoun