Anyway

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈɛniweɪ/

Definitions

1. In any situation, this term implies a continuation or shift in focus despite previous statements or conditions
2. It serves as a connective phrase to indicate that something is true or happens regardless of prior contradictions
3. Used to indicate that something occurs or remains true despite earlier comments or conditions ; employed to introduce a statement that summarizes or concludes, often indicating a shift back to the main topic

Etymology: "Anyway" is simply "any" joined to "way," so its literal sense is "in any way" or "in any manner." The sense we use today, where it brushes aside what was just said and returns to the main point, grew out of the older meaning of "in any case" or "at any rate": whatever the circumstances, the thing still holds. From that idea of persisting regardless came the conversational habit of using it to cut off a digression and get back on track. The compound is an ordinary one, built from two very common English words, so there is no coinage story to tell. What is useful to notice is that the same pattern produced several parallel forms in English, such as "anywhere," "anyhow," and "anyways," each taking "any" plus a word that describes a manner, place, or condition.

Synonyms: regardless, nonetheless, nevertheless, in any case, at any rate

Antonyms: not at all, never, by no means, not in any way, not really