What does everyway mean?
"Everyway" is an adverb meaning in every way, manner, or respect — that is, in all possible respects or directions at once. It is used to emphasize the completeness of a quality or judgment: a plan might be better than another everyway, or a person might be kind everyway you consider them. The word is formed from "every" plus "way" on the pattern of similar compounds such as "everywhere," "always," and "anyway." Although it has been part of English for centuries, "everyway" remains relatively uncommon in everyday speech, where speakers more often reach for the phrase "in every way" instead. It carries no particular connotation of its own beyond emphasis, and it appears chiefly in written or slightly formal contexts. A rare variant spelling, "everyways," also exists but is even less frequently used. Writers choosing between the two forms will find "everyway" fully accepted in standard dictionaries.
adverbIn every way or respect; by every possible means or in every direction.
- In every way, manner, or respect; in all respects.
"The new policy proved superior to the old one everyway you looked at it."
"The renovated house was an improvement everyway imaginable."
"She was generous everyway — with her time, her money, and her attention."
"Everyway" is one of those rare adverbs that sounds made up but has been quietly doing its job since the 1600s.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of everyway
"Everyway" is a straightforward English compound of "every" and "way," modeled on earlier formations such as "everywhere" and "always." It dates back to around the early seventeenth century in written English. The element "way" comes from Old English "weg," meaning road or path, while "every" derives from Old English "ǣfre" plus "ǣlc," giving it the same Germanic roots as its sibling compounds "everywhere," "anyway," and "someway."
Related word forms
How everyway is actually used
"Everyway" is somewhat literary and less common than the two-word phrase "in every way," though both are acceptable. It should not be confused with "every which way," an informal idiom meaning in a disorderly or scattered fashion.
Easily confused with everyway
"Everywhere" means in or to all places, while "everyway" means in every manner, respect, or direction.