adv · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈɛniweɪ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪ
CMU ARPABET:EH1 N IY0 W EY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
Regardless; anyhow.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: conjunctive, not-comparable
Examples
He didn't enjoy washing his car, but it was so dirty that he did it anyway.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
Used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement. See anyhow and at least.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
I don't think that's true. I haven't found any evidence, anyway.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adv
Meaning 3
Used to indicate a change of subject.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adv
Meaning 4
Used at the end of a question for emphasis, or to direct the conversation to something of more broad importance (compare with more to the point).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
In any way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adverb
Meaning 6
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
Anyhow, he is dead now
I think they're asleep; anyhow, they're quiet
I don't know what happened to it; anyway, it's gone
anyway, there is another factor to consider
I don't know how it started; in any case, there was a brief scuffle
in any event, the government faced a serious protest
but at any rate he got a knighthood for it
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: anyhow, anyways, in any case, at any rate, in any event
Antonyms: none provided
7
adverb
Meaning 7
in any way whatsoever
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
they came anyhow they could
get it done anyway you can
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: anyhow
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From any + way.
Across languages
Translations
233 source translations are retained for this English entry.