anyway

[ en-ee-wey ]

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.

anyway

/ 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

Spelling Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anyway¹

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

Example Sentences

In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.

From The Daily Beast

Except for maybe his brainiac wife… but she could do better anyway.

From The Daily Beast

Like, the party was definitely over, but we just kept taking drugs anyway [laughs].

From The Daily Beast

“Most people are focused on the holidays anyway,” she continued, before adding something about people liking Cuban sandwiches.

From The Daily Beast

The FBI did not immediately seem interested in pushing the matter, publicly anyway.

From The Daily Beast

The patriarchal decree of the government was a good deal of a joke on the plains, anyway—except when you were caught defying it!

From Project Gutenberg

I always try to do the right thing, but, anyway, these arms and hands would do good of their own accord.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyway there was a lot of embroidery on it, full of little holes, which somehow contrived to be extraordinarily fetching.

From Project Gutenberg

It is suggested, too, that patents are pending that may make outside aerials unnecessary, anyway.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyway, if I did, the whole family would want to know why, and I don't suppose you want to tell them that yet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anyhow
• ever
• once