Word
despite
Phoneticsde·spite, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈspaɪt/
UK/dɪspˈaɪt/
Definitions
01even though
B1 · Intermediate
prep. used to say that something is happening even though there is something else that might prevent it.
prep. indicates that the main clause remains true regardless of the obstacle or circumstance mentioned in the prepositional phrase.
日本語:にもかかわらず※
“Despite the heavy rain, the football match continued until the final whistle.”
“Despite the significant initial investment required, the company decided to proceed with the project due to its long-term growth potential.”
Usage
Followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), but never by a 'that' clause.
Pitfall
Despite of the rain, we went for a walk.
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
Do not use 'of' after 'despite'. If you want to use 'of', use the phrase 'in spite of' instead.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02contempt or malice
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Archaic
n. a feeling of strong dislike or a desire to hurt someone's feelings.
n. contemptuous treatment, malice, or a state of defiance. Often found in the fixed phrase 'in despite of'.
“He acted in despite of the rules, showing he did not care about the consequences.”
“The young lord continued his pursuit of the crown in despite of his father's explicit warnings and the threat of exile.”
Usage
Primarily encountered in older literature or formal legal contexts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “despite” in context.
Verb
01. arrive despite the delay
“We arrived despite the delay at the airport.”
verb + prep + noun
02. continue despite the noise
“The teacher tried to continue despite the noise from the street.”
verb + prep + noun
03. win despite the odds
“The team managed to win despite the odds being against them.”
verb + prep + noun
Noun
04. progress despite the weather
“The builders made good progress despite the weather being very wet.”
noun + prep + noun
05. smile despite the pain
“She managed to give a small smile despite the pain in her leg.”
noun + prep + noun
06. success despite the challenges
“Their success despite the challenges inspired everyone in the company.”
noun + prep + noun
Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English despit, dispit, from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectum (“looking down on”), from dēspiciō (“to look down, despise”). The preposition is derived from Middle English dispit, itself derived from the phrase in dispit of (in despite of). Compare typologically Russian несмотря́ на (nesmotrjá na) (< смотре́ть (smotrétʹ)); невзира́я на (nevzirája na) (< взира́ть (vzirátʹ)), презре́в (prezrév) (< презре́ть (prezrétʹ) <~ зреть (zretʹ)) (compare despite—despise relation).
From Middle English despite, dispite, dyspite, dyspyte, from Old French despitier.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/despite
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0