# anyway

/ˈɛniˌweɪ/ (US) · /ˈɛnɪwˌeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anyway
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. regardless

adverb · CEFR A2

used to say that something is true or will happen despite other facts or problems.

For teachers: indicates that a situation exists or an action occurs regardless of other circumstances mentioned.

- The water was cold, but we went swimming anyway because it was our last day.
- The board decided to proceed with the merger anyway, despite the vocal opposition from the minority shareholders and the local community.

### 2. changing the subject

adverb · CEFR A2 · Informal

used to change the subject, end a conversation, or return to an earlier topic.

For teachers: serves as a discourse marker to signal a transition in conversation, often to resume a previous thread or to conclude a discussion.

- Anyway, as I was saying before the phone rang, we should leave at six.
- Anyway, moving on from the budget concerns, let us look at the projected timeline for the second phase of the development.

### 3. adding a reason

adverb · CEFR B1

used to give an extra reason for something you have just said.

For teachers: used to introduce a supplementary statement that reinforces or justifies a previous point.

- I don't really like that restaurant, and it's too expensive anyway.
- The candidate lacked the necessary technical certifications, and his previous experience wasn't particularly relevant to our current needs anyway.

### 4. for emphasis in questions

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

used at the end of a question to show you are interested in the real or most important fact.

For teachers: placed at the end of an interrogative clause to add emphasis or to pivot the inquiry toward a more fundamental or relevant point.

- What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were on holiday.
- Why would they choose such an inaccessible location for the new headquarters anyway, given the commute for the majority of the staff?

## Examples

- It is raining, but I am going for a walk anyway.
- The store was closed when I arrived, but I only wanted to look at the window display anyway.
- While the technical specifications were impressive, the committee had already decided to reject the proposal for budgetary reasons anyway, rendering the presentation largely symbolic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.