anent

preposition

\ ə-ˈnent

How to pronounce anent (audio)

\

Definition of anent

: about, concerning

Did You Know?

Anent looks like a rather old-fashioned word. It is, in fact, very old (an earlier sense of the word can be found in Beowulf, from approximately 800 A.D.), and at one point it was almost obsolete. It had nearly died out by the 17th century, but it was revived in the 19th century. Various usage commentators have decried "anent" as "affected" and "archaic." It is not archaic, however. Although "anent" is rarely found in speech, plenty of examples of current use can be found in written sources. Dead words do occasionally rise from the grave, and "anent" is one of them.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about anent

Listen to Our Podcast about anent

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near anent

an end in itself

Statistics for anent

Cite this Entry

“Anent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anent. Accessed 23 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

bogart

Listen to the pronunciation of bogart

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Thing: Flower Edition

Name that flower

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ