anyway

any +‎ way

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛniweɪ/

• Audio (US)

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• anyways

anyway (not comparable)

1. (conjunctive) Regardless; anyhow. [from 19th c.]

   He didn't enjoy washing his car, but it was so dirty that he did it anyway.

   • 2016, JoAnneh Nagler, How to be an artist without losing your mind, your shirt, or your creative compass, →ISBN, page 85:

     Raymond Carver had only moments late at night to write after grueling day jobs, tense relationships, putting kids to bed, and dealing with his own alcoholism. And he wrote anyway.

2. (speech act) Used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement. See anyhow and at least. [from 19th c.]

   I don't think that's true. I haven't found any evidence, anyway.

   • 1962, Bob Dylan, Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

     But I wish there were somethin' you would do or say / To try and make me change my mind and stay / We never did too much talkin' anyway / Don't think twice, it's all right.

3. (speech act) Used to indicate a change of subject.
   • 2005, Jan Karon, These High, Green Hills:

     "I'll be ninety my next birthday, but Louella doesn't tell her age. Anyway, we're going to have you and Cynthia up for supper."

4. (obsolete) In any way. [16th-19th c.]
   • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, partition II, section 2, member 5:

     He that sleeps in the day-time, or is in suspense, fear, anyway troubled in mind, or goes to bed upon a full stomach, may never hope for quiet rest in the night […].

• anywise, anyroad, any road up, any old way