different between anyways vs anyway

English

Etymology

From any + adverbial genitive of way (compare always).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /??n.i?we?z/

Alternative forms

• anyway

Adverb

anyways (not comparable)

1. (rare) In any way or respect, at all.
2. (conjunctive, informal, chiefly Canada, US) Anyway, anyhow, in any case.
   • 1865, Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend, book 2, chapter 12:

     "Anyways," said the damsel, "I am glad punishment followed, and I say so."

References

• “anyways” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• “anyways”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.

English

Etymology

any +? way

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??niwe?/

Alternative forms

• (chiefly Canada, US) anyways

Adverb

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.
2. 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. Used to indicate a change of subject.
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).
   • 1899, Jack London, “To the Man on the Trail”, The Overland Monthly, page 36:

     “But I say, Kid, isn't that going it a little too strong? Whisky and alcohol's bad enough; but when it comes to brandy and pepper-sauce and—” ¶ “Dump it in. Who's making this punch, anyway?”

   • 1992, Timothy Zahn, Heir to the Empire, Spectra (?ISBN), page 154:

     “We should probably wait until Luke gets here to talk about it,” Leia suggested quietly before Han could answer. Lando glanced past Han, as if only just noticing Luke's absence. “Where is he, anyway?”

5. (obsolete) In any way. [16th-19th c.]

Synonyms

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

Translations

Danish

Etymology

English anyway

Adverb

anyway

1. Used to indicate a change of topic.

Synonyms

• hvorom alting er (slightly formal)