Same sound, different use
anytime vs any time
Same sound, different meaning and spelling
Anytime is commonly an adverb meaning whenever, especially in American English. Any time is a noun phrase meaning any amount or instance of time and works after a preposition.
Context decides
Try “whenever,” then look for a preposition
The one-word form has a narrower grammatical job. The two-word form remains correct in every variety.
Whenever: anytime
Use the single-word adverb, especially in American English, when the meaning is whenever.
You can call me anytime.
Noun phrase: any time
Use two words after a preposition or when referring to an amount or available period of time.
You can call me at any time.
Regional style
Any time is the conservative choice in formal or British writing; follow your publication’s preference.
Please contact us at any time.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
Use anytime when you could substitute whenever: Call anytime. Use any time when time is a noun, particularly after at, in, for, or another preposition, and when an adjective can modify time: at any time, any available time. British edited English more often keeps any time as two words in contexts where American English accepts anytime.
Optional listening · American English
Hear the shared pronunciation
These terms share a standard pronunciation. Use the recordings to learn the sound, then use meaning and context to choose the spelling.
Word 1
anytime
adverb, chiefly US; sometimes adjective
Whenever; at any unspecified time.
US pronunciation
/ˈɛniˌtaɪm/
UK IPA
/ˈenitaɪm/
Hear two natural voices
Word 2
any time
noun phrase
Any amount, instance, or available period of time.
US pronunciation
/ˈɛni taɪm/
UK IPA
/ˈeni taɪm/
Hear two natural voices
Listen in context
6 example sentences
Context makes meaning, grammar, and natural rhythm easier to understand. Every sentence has its own playback.
Examples with
anytime
- Stop by anytime after lunch.
- You may restart the lesson anytime.
- The support line can become busy anytime.
Examples with
any time
- Do you have any time before the meeting?
- The server may restart at any time.
- Choose any time that works for you.