Ary

In Appalachian and Southern English, "ary" means "any." It’s an old regional form still heard in rural speech, especially among older generations.

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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.

Pronunciation

[AIR-ee] /ˈɛəɹi/

Meaning & Usage

- Any (adjective / pronoun)

Maw:

You got ary biscuits left?

Daughter:

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.

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

What does "ary" mean in Southern talk?

It means "any," as in "You got ary corn left in the pot?"

Is "ary" still used today?

It’s rare among younger speakers but remains familiar in rural or older communities.

What’s the difference between "ary" and "nary"?

"Ary" means "any," while "nary" means "none" or "not any."

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.