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someone

A1
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /sˈʌmwɒn/

US

  • /ˈsəmˌwən/

Description

"Someone" feels like a quiet mention of a person, not anyone specific, just one person. It's the word you use when you don't know who did something, or when it does not really matter who it was. "Did someone call while I was out?" or "Someone left their umbrella in the office."

"Someone" is not a name, but a stand-in for a person. It can hint at mystery, as in "Someone is following me!", or simply point to an unknown person: "Someone needs to fix this leaky faucet." Sometimes it suggests that a person is there behind the story, like when you say, "Someone knows what happened." Think of it as a person in the sentence who is present and active, but not clearly named. It is a useful little word for keeping things vague or building suspense.

Examples

  1. 1

    Lost item

    Someone left their umbrella on the train.

  2. 2

    Visitor

    There's someone at the door for you.

  3. 3

    Help request

    I need someone to help me carry this box.

  4. 4

    Romantic partner

    She wants to marry someone who makes her laugh.

  5. 5

    Uncertain caller

    Did someone call my name?

  6. 6

    Taking messages

    If someone asks for me, tell them I'll be back at two.

  7. 7

    Emotional support

    I wish I had someone to talk to.

  8. 8

    Possession

    That's not my seat. It belongs to someone else.

  9. 9

    Ambition

    He moved to the city because he wanted to be someone.

    • Phrase

      be someone

      become important or successful

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • someonenoun