rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryaughtAnything at all
pronoun / adverb

aught

AWT/ˈɔt/

Anything at all.

The visitor may take aught that appeals from the offered assortment.

A visitor may take any item from an offered assortment.
Etymology
aOld Englishever
+ughtOld Englishthing, being

Literally “ever a whit,” aught combines “ever” with a word for a thing or being. Together they express unrestricted possibility: anything whatsoever.

In context

Storytime Haven423:01
In a wide circle of country were many true lovers who would have done aught to win her praise.
✨ The Man by Bram Stoker | A Tale of Love, Courage & Destiny 📖

More examples

  • He had not heard aught against her honesty.
  • For aught I know, the old house still stands.
  • The character swears he will not yield for aught on earth.

Forms

aught

Similar words

anything
Anything is the ordinary modern word; aught is mainly literary or found in fixed expressions.
whatever
Whatever can mean anything without restriction; aught has a distinctly older literary tone.