anyway

American  

[en-ee-wey] / ˈɛn iˌweɪ /

Nonstandard, anyways

adverb

1. in any case; anyhow; nonetheless; regardless.

   Whether you like it or not, I'm going anyway.

2. (used to continue or resume the thread of a story or account).

   Anyway, we finally found a plumber who could come right over.

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anyway British  

/ ˈɛnɪˌweɪ /

adverb

1. in any case; at any rate; nevertheless; anyhow

2. in a careless or haphazard manner

3. Usually any way . in any manner; by any means

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Spelling

The adverb anyway is spelled as one word: It was snowing hard, but we drove to the play anyway. The two-word phrase any way means “in any manner”: Finish the job any way you choose. If the words “in the” can be substituted for “any,” the two-word phrase is called for: Finish the job in the way you choose. If the substitution cannot be made, the spelling is anyway.

Etymology

Origin of anyway

First recorded in 1150–1200, anyway is from Middle English ani wei. See any, way ¹

Compare meaning

How does anyway compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anyhow vs. anyway

Example Sentences

What was the genesis of this show, anyway?

From Los Angeles Times

So far Ms. Takaichi is standing firm, and Mr. Furuya has shrugged off sanctions by saying he didn’t plan to visit China anyway.

From The Wall Street Journal

The numbers show the investment would not have been wise, anyway.

From MarketWatch

Home construction is slowing, but Japanese investors and builders are moving in anyway and soon will own 6% of America’s home-building business.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You knew I was taking up your evening after you’d been working here since early this morning, but you still came anyway.”

From Literature

Related Words

• anyhow
• ever
• once