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.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
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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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...