somebody
somebody
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "somebody" is /ˈsʌm.bʌ.di/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
som: /sʌm/
/s/ as in "sun"
/ʌ/ as in "strut" or "cut"
/m/ as in "man"
bo: /bʌ/
/b/ as in "boy"
/ʌ/ as in "strut" or "cut"
dy: /di/
/d/ as in "dog"
/i/ as in "see" (though sometimes closer to the vowel in "kit" depending on the speaker's accent)
Word Form Variations
"Somebody" is already singular. It doesn't have a standard plural form in the same way that "cat" has a plural "cats." You wouldn't say "somebodies."
No direct plural: As mentioned, "somebodies" is not standard English.
"Some people" or "several people": These are the most common ways to express the plural of "somebody." They refer to multiple individuals.
"Someone": This is a singular synonym for "somebody." It also lacks a standard plural. You would use "some people" or "several people" for the plural.
"Anybody" and "everybody": These are related terms. "Anybody" can be used in questions or negative statements, and "everybody" refers to all people. Neither has a standard plural form. Again, "people" serves as the plural.
Phrases like "a group of somebodies": While not a true plural, this phrase could be used to refer to a collection of individuals, but it's less common than "a group of people."
In summary, while "somebody" is singular, the concept of more than one "somebody" is usually expressed with "some people," "several people," or similar phrases.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1 (General): An unspecified or unknown person. This definition emphasizes the anonymity or lack of specific identification of the individual.
Synonyms: A person, an individual, a human being, a soul, a figure, a presence, a certain person, a particular person.
Antonyms: Nobody, no one. (While not perfect antonyms, these words express the absence of a person.)
Definition 2 (Emphasis on Importance/Status): A person of importance, influence, or social standing. This definition implies that the "somebody" is not just anyone, but someone who matters in some way.
Synonyms: A person of note, a VIP (very important person), a notable, a dignitary, a person of consequence, a person of distinction.
Antonyms: Nobody (in the sense of a person of no importance), a nonentity.
Definition 3 (Informal/Affectionate): Used affectionately or casually to refer to a person, often someone close to the speaker.
Synonyms: (Depending on context) Loved one, dear, friend, pal, mate, buddy.
Antonyms: (Difficult to find direct antonyms in this affectionate sense. Perhaps "stranger" or "acquaintance" in some contexts.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me" (Smash Mouth, "All Star" - while a song lyric, it's widely recognized as a cultural reference and appears in many forms of media). This uses "somebody" in the general, unspecified person sense.
"Somebody's Darling" by Louisa May Alcott (title of a short story). Here, "somebody" refers to a specific, though perhaps unnamed, person who is dear to someone else.
News/Online Publications:
"Police are looking for somebody who witnessed the accident." (Hypothetical news report). This is a general use, emphasizing the unknown identity of the needed witness.
"Somebody on Twitter leaked the confidential information." (Hypothetical online news article). Again, general use, highlighting the anonymity of the leaker.
Entertainment (Film/TV):
"Somebody's gotta do it." (Common movie/TV trope). This uses "somebody" to express the idea that a task needs to be done, regardless of who does it.
"Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye (song title). This uses "somebody" in a more personal and emotional context, referring to a former romantic partner.
General Public Discourse:
"I need somebody to help me with this." (Common everyday conversation). This is a general use, requesting assistance from an unspecified person.
"Somebody told me that..." (Common phrase in conversation). This refers to an unspecified source of information.
"Don't talk about somebody behind their back." (Common saying). This is a general use, referring to any person.
10 Famous Quotes Using Somebody
"I always wanted to be somebody. Now I realize I should have been more specific." — Lily Tomlin
"Don’t wait for somebody to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul." — Luther Burbank
"To be somebody you must last." — Ruth Gordon
"Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something." — Will Smith as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness
"I never wanted to be somebody else. I wanted to be a better version of myself." — Oprah Winfrey
"If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention." — Sister Act II: Back in the Habit
"Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you." — Warren Buffett
"You have not lived today until you have done something for somebody who can never repay you." — John Bunyan
"Somebody has to do something, and it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us." — Jerry Garcia
"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do — somebody who believes and acts." — Sarah Ban Breathnach
Etymology
"Somebody" is a compound word, meaning it's formed by combining two separate words: "some" and "body."
"Some": This word has very old roots, going all the way back to Proto-Germanic (a very early ancestor of many modern languages) where it appeared as *sumaz. It basically meant "a certain one," "a few," or "a certain quantity." So, "some" implies an unspecified or not particularly emphasized amount or individual.
"Body": This word also has ancient origins, tracing back to Proto-Germanic *budiz, meaning the physical frame of a human or animal.
When you put them together as "somebody," you get the meaning of "a certain person," or "an unspecified individual." It refers to a person without needing to identify them specifically.
First Known Use/Meaning:
It's difficult to pinpoint the very first time "somebody" was used in written English, as records aren't always complete. However, it's believed to have emerged sometime in the late Middle English period (roughly the 14th or 15th centuries). The meaning has remained remarkably consistent since then: an unknown or unspecified person. It's always carried that sense of anonymity or lack of specific identification.
So, essentially, "somebody" is just a combination of "some" (a certain one) and "body" (a person), creating a word that refers to a certain, unspecified person. It's a simple construction that has served its purpose in the English language for centuries.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Somebody
"Somebody" isn't as prolific in idioms and set phrases as some other words. It's primarily used in its literal sense of "a person."
Phrases (More Literal):
Somebody's darling: This phrase refers to someone who is beloved or cherished. It often appears in titles of stories or poems, like Louisa May Alcott's short story of the same name.
Somebody's gotta do it: This phrase expresses the idea that a task, often unpleasant or difficult, needs to be done by someone, even if no one particularly wants to do it. It emphasizes the necessity of action.
Somebody like you/me/him/her: This is a common phrase used to refer to a person who shares similar qualities or experiences with the speaker or another person mentioned.
Talk about somebody behind their back: This phrase refers to gossiping or speaking negatively about someone when they are not present.
Why "Somebody" Isn't Rich in Idioms:
The reason "somebody" doesn't feature in many highly idiomatic expressions is that its meaning is already quite general. Idioms often rely on figurative language and unexpected combinations of words to create a new, non-literal meaning. "Somebody," by its nature, is already fairly abstract – it refers to a person without specifying who. This makes it less fertile ground for the kind of figurative leaps that create idioms.
Substituting Synonyms for Similar Effect:
While "somebody" itself might not be highly idiomatic, we can find idioms that express similar ideas related to people or individuals, using synonyms or related concepts:
Every Tom, Dick, and Harry: This idiom refers to ordinary, undistinguished people. It's similar to saying "just anybody" or "any old somebody."
A man/woman of his/her word: This refers to someone who is reliable and keeps promises. It's related to the idea of a "somebody" who is trustworthy and dependable.
To know somebody from Adam: This idiom means to not know someone at all. It's the opposite of knowing a "somebody" well.
To be somebody in the world: This phrase means to be successful or important. It's related to the idea of a "somebody" who has achieved recognition.
To put somebody in their place: This idiom means to humble someone or make them realize they are not as important as they think they are. It contrasts with the idea of a "somebody" who is highly regarded.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of somebody from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
