Have you ever stopped mid-sentence and wondered whether you should write “anyway” or “anyways”? You’re not alone. The two forms sound similar, and “anyways” is common enough in everyday speech that it can be difficult to tell whether it is actually correct.
So, is anyways a word? Yes. “Anyways” is a real word, but it is generally considered informal, nonstandard, or dialectal in many varieties of English. “Anyway” is the standard form and the safer choice for formal and professional writing.
Let’s look at the difference, where each form comes from, and when you should use them.
Anyway or Anyways: Which Is Correct?
Both anyway and anyways are used in English, but they do not have exactly the same status.
| Word | Standard? | Typical use |
| Anyway | Yes | Formal and informal English |
| Anyways | Yes, as a word, but generally informal/nonstandard | Casual conversation and informal writing |
If you’re writing an essay, business email, report, application, or other formal document, anyway is usually the better choice.
For example:
Anyway, let’s get back to the main topic.
This is standard English.
You may also hear:
Anyways, let’s get back to the main topic.
That version is common in casual speech, but it has a more conversational feel.
Is Anyways a Word?
Yes, anyways is a word.
However, that doesn’t mean it is interchangeable with anyway in every situation.
Dictionaries generally recognize anyways, but often label it as informal, nonstandard, dialectal, or chiefly North American depending on the dictionary and sense.
In everyday conversation, you may hear it frequently:
Anyways, what were you saying?
I didn’t really like the movie anyways.
But in formal writing, anyway is normally preferred:
Anyway, what were you saying?
I didn’t really like the movie anyway.
The important point is that “anyways” isn’t simply a misspelling of “anyway.” It has a real history of usage, even though its status is less formal.
Is Anyways a Real Word?
Yes. If you’re asking “is anyways a real word?”, the answer is yes.
The word has been used in English for centuries, although its frequency and acceptance have varied across regions and periods.
Today, anyways is especially associated with informal speech and certain varieties of English. It can also be used deliberately to create a casual, conversational tone.
For example:
Anyways, I’ll call you tomorrow.
The sentence sounds relaxed and conversational.
Compare that with:
Anyway, I’ll call you tomorrow.
The second version sounds more neutral and is appropriate in a wider range of situations.
What Does Anyway Mean?
Anyway has several related uses, which is one reason the word appears so often in everyday English.
1. Returning to the main topic
You can use anyway to move a conversation back to the subject.
Anyway, let’s talk about the project.
Here, anyway signals that the speaker is moving on or returning to the main point.
2. Meaning “regardless”
Anyway can mean that something remains true despite another fact or circumstance.
It was raining, but we went for a walk anyway.
The meaning is roughly:
We went for a walk despite the rain.
3. Adding emphasis
It can also emphasize that something happened or is true despite an objection.
I didn’t think it would work, but I tried anyway.
4. Ending or redirecting a conversation
In everyday speech, anyway can signal a change of subject.
Anyway, what are you doing this weekend?
This is extremely common in conversation.
Anyway vs Anyways in Everyday Speech
One reason people become confused about anyway or anyways is that spoken English is less strict than formal written English.
People naturally shorten, extend, or modify words while speaking. Anyways can sound perfectly natural in casual conversation.
For example:
Anyways, let’s grab some coffee.
There is nothing unusual about hearing this in informal speech.
However, if you’re writing:
- A school assignment
- A professional email
- A business report
- A cover letter
- An academic paper
- A formal article
Anyway is the safer choice.
Why Do People Say Anyways?
There isn’t a single reason everyone uses anyways.
Several factors may contribute to its continued use.
Regional variation
Different English-speaking communities have different vocabulary and grammatical preferences. Anyways is particularly familiar in informal North American speech.
Conversational style
Adding the -s can give the word a more relaxed or conversational sound.
Compare:
Anyway, let’s leave.
with:
Anyways, let’s leave.
The second sounds more casual.
Historical usage
Anyways isn’t a brand-new internet invention. Historical examples of the form exist, although modern standard English generally favors anyway.
So, if you’ve been wondering whether people simply started saying anyways because of social media, the answer is no. The form has a much longer history.
Is Anyway More Correct Than Anyways?
For standard written English, yes.
It’s better to think of the distinction as one of register and convention, rather than saying that one word exists and the other doesn’t.
Anyway is the standard, widely accepted form.
Anyways is recognized and used, but it is generally more informal and may be considered nonstandard in some contexts.
This distinction is useful because it tells you what to choose based on your audience.
Use “anyway” when:
- Writing formally
- Communicating professionally
- Writing academically
- Preparing an application
- Publishing formal content
- You want a neutral tone
“Anyways” can work when:
- Writing dialogue
- Texting friends
- Creating casual social media content
- Reproducing natural speech
- Deliberately using an informal voice
Anyway or Anyways in a Sentence
Seeing both forms in context makes the difference easier to understand.
Standard and neutral
Anyway, we need to finish this project today.
Informal and conversational
Anyways, we need to finish this project today.
Both can be understood easily, but the second has a more casual tone.
Another example:
I wasn’t planning to go, but I went anyway.
Here, anyway means “despite that.”
You could hear:
I wasn’t planning to go, but I went anyways.
This is common in informal speech, but anyway is generally preferred in formal writing.
Is “Anyways” Grammatically Wrong?
Not necessarily.
Calling anyways simply “wrong” oversimplifies the issue.
It is a recognized form with a long history of usage, but many style guides and language authorities prefer anyway in standard formal English.
This is similar to many other language questions where a word can be perfectly understandable and widely used without being the preferred choice in formal writing.
The practical rule is easy:
If you’re unsure, use “anyway.”
It works in both formal and informal contexts.
Can You Use Anyways in Formal Writing?
You generally can, but you probably shouldn’t unless you have a specific stylistic reason.
Imagine you’re writing a business email:
Anyways, I’ll send the report tomorrow.
It’s understandable, but:
Anyway, I’ll send the report tomorrow.
sounds cleaner and more professional.
In academic writing, the preference for anyway is even stronger because academic prose generally avoids unnecessarily conversational forms.
Anyway vs Anyways: A Simple Memory Trick
If you’re constantly wondering anyway or anyways, remember this:
Anyway = the standard choice.
You don’t need to think too hard about whether anyways is technically a word.
If the situation is formal, choose anyway.
If you’re writing dialogue or intentionally creating casual speech, anyways may be appropriate.
Common Mistakes With Anyway
People sometimes confuse anyway with other similar expressions.
Anyway vs Any Way
These are not always the same.
Anyway is usually an adverb:
Anyway, let’s continue.
Any way consists of two separate words and usually refers to any possible method or manner.
Is there any way to fix this?
Here, “any way” means “any method.”
Anyway vs Anyways
The distinction is mostly about standardness and register:
Anyway = standard and broadly appropriate
Anyways = informal/nonstandard or dialectal in many contexts
Knowing this makes the choice much easier.
Examples of Anyway and Anyways
Here are some additional examples.
Anyway
Anyway, let’s move on.
She wasn’t feeling well, but she came anyway.
I didn’t want dessert anyway.
Anyway, what happened next?
Anyways
Anyways, let’s move on.
She wasn’t feeling well, but she came anyways.
I didn’t want dessert anyways.
Anyways, what happened next?
The anyways examples are understandable and common in informal speech. The anyway examples are appropriate in virtually any context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is anyways a word?
Yes. Anyways is a recognized English word, although it is generally considered informal, nonstandard, or dialectal depending on the variety of English and context.
Is anyways a real word?
Yes. Anyways is a real word with a long history of usage. However, anyway is the standard form preferred in formal writing.
Is anyway or anyways correct?
Both forms are used, but anyway is the standard choice. Use anyways mainly when you want a casual or conversational tone.
Is anyways grammatically correct?
It can be grammatically acceptable in informal varieties of English, but many formal writing contexts prefer anyway.
Should I use anyway or anyways in an essay?
Use anyway. It is the standard form and is more appropriate for academic and formal writing.
Is anyways American English?
Anyways is especially common in informal North American English, although the form is not exclusive to the United States or Canada.
What does anyway mean?
Depending on context, anyway can mean “regardless,” help return a conversation to its main subject, add emphasis, or introduce a change of topic.
What is the difference between anyway and any way?
Anyway is generally an adverb meaning “regardless” or functioning as a conversational transition. Any way refers to any possible method or manner.
For example:
I’ll go anyway.
but:
Is there any way to solve this?
Why do people say anyways instead of anyway?
Anyways is used because of regional speech patterns, informal language, conversational habits, and its long history in English. It can also make a sentence sound more relaxed.
Conclusion: Anyway or Anyways?
So, when you’re choosing between anyway or anyways, the safest answer is anyway.
Anyway is the standard form and works comfortably in formal, academic, professional, and casual English. Anyways is a real word, but it is generally more informal, nonstandard, or dialectal depending on the context.
If you’re writing an essay, report, email, or professional message, choose anyway. If you’re writing dialogue or casual online content and want a relaxed conversational voice, anyways can be appropriate.
In short:
Anyway = standard and widely appropriate.
Anyways = real, but generally informal.
When in doubt, go with anyway.
