adv
Common
anyways
EHN-ee-wayz
Anyways (adv) means (informal) Anyway; in any case. Example: “Anyways, we should get going before the traffic gets worse.”
adv
1
(informal) Anyway; in any case.
"Anyways, we should get going before the traffic gets worse."
"It was raining, but we went for a walk anyways."
"I wasn't hungry anyways."
How to use anyways
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, spoken variant of "anyway."
When to use it
Common in informal speech, especially in North America, but considered nonstandard in formal writing — use "anyway" instead.
Easily confused with
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_____, we should get going before the traffic gets worse.
Etymology
From any + adverbial genitive of way (compare always).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for anyways
See all rhymes for anyways →Frequently asked questions
What does “anyways” mean?
The word “anyways” means (informal) Anyway; in any case. In plain terms, a casual, spoken variant of "anyway.".
How do you pronounce “anyways”?
“Anyways” is pronounced EHN-ee-wayz (/ˈɛn.iˌweɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “anyways” in a sentence?
Here is “anyways” used in a sentence: “I wasn't hungry anyways.”
What part of speech is “anyways”?
“Anyways” is an adverb.
Is “anyways” a common word?
“Anyways” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is anyways a real word?
Yes, but it is informal. Anyways is a casual variant of anyway meaning "in any case," heard mainly in conversational speech, especially in North America. In writing, the standard form is anyway.
What is the difference between anyway and anyways?
They mean the same thing: "in any case." Anyway is the standard form accepted everywhere, while anyways is informal and can strike readers as too casual. If in doubt, choose anyway.
Should you use anyways in formal writing?
No. Anyways is marked as informal, so it is out of place in essays, business correspondence, and academic work. Anyway carries exactly the same meaning and is always the safe choice.
