Ary
In Appalachian and Southern English, "ary" means "any." It’s an old regional form still heard in rural speech, especially among older generations.
synonyms: any
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Ary' is one of those gettin' more and more rare. I heard it plenty growin' up, and I still hear it. But it's much more rare. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Ary' is one of those gettin' more and more rare. I heard it plenty growin' up, and I still hear it. But it's much more rare. Pronunciation
[AIR-ee]
/ˈɛəɹi/
/ˈɛəɹi/
Meaning & Usage
- Any (adjective / pronoun)
Maw:
You got ary biscuits left?
You got ary biscuits left?
Daughter:
No ma’am, they’re all gone.
No ma’am, they’re all gone.variations: none
Origin and Etymology
Derived from older English dialects and preserved in Southern mountain speech. Related to archaic forms like "nary" ("not any"), showing the same regional vowel shift.
Usage Notes
Still heard in Appalachian and rural Southern areas, often in family or informal speech. Considered old-fashioned elsewhere in the U.S.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 4). Ary. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/ary
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ary." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/ary.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Ary." HillbillySlang.com. October 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/ary.
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