an ‧ y ‧ way S1 W2 /ˈeniweɪ/ BrE AmE ( also anyhow ) adverb [sentence adverb]
1 . in spite of the fact that you have just mentioned:
Catherine wasn’t sure the book was the right one, but she bought it anyway.
This idea probably won’t work, but let’s try it anyway.
2 . used when adding a remark which shows that the fact just mentioned is not important:
They didn’t have any trainers in my size, and anyway I’d already decided I’d rather save the money.
‘I hope you haven’t told anyone.’ ‘No. Who would believe me anyway?’
3 . used when adding something that corrects or slightly changes what you have just said:
Let’s think about it for a while, for a few days anyway.
There seems to have been a technical problem – anyway, that’s what they told me.
4 . spoken used when you are ignoring details so that you can talk immediately about the most important thing:
He got lost and spent hours looking for the station, and anyway it was past midnight by the time he got home.
Anyway, why didn’t you call the police?
5 . spoken used when you are changing the subject of a conversation or returning to a previous subject:
Anyway, let’s leave that for the moment and look at this month’s profit figures.
Anyway, how are you?
6 . spoken used when you want to end a conversation or leave a place:
Anyway, I must be going now.