Where does “anyway” come from?

Anyway derives from English any and away, which came from Old English ǣniġ and Old English away respectively, ultimately tracing to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots.

anyway (English): Regardless; anyhow; See anyhow and at least; Used...

Definitions

  1. Regardless; anyhow; See anyhow and at least; Used...

Ancestry of “anyway”, step by step

anyway traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Way

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWayChristianity
2Middle Englishway
3Old Englishweġway; path; way, road, path
4Proto-West Germanicwegway, road
5Proto-Germanicwēgazwave; sea
6Proto-Indo-Europeanweǵʰ-to bring; to transport

via English any

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishanyTo even the slightest extent, at all; At least...
2Middle Englishany
3Old Englishǣniġany
4Proto-West Germanic*ainagonly, sole

Words derived from “anyway

Every word from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ-
anyway — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer