# despite

/dɪˈspaɪt/ (US) · /dɪspˈaɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/despite
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. even though

preposition · CEFR B1

used to say that something is happening even though there is something else that might prevent it.

For teachers: indicates that the main clause remains true regardless of the obstacle or circumstance mentioned in the prepositional phrase.

- 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.

### 2. contempt or malice

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a feeling of strong dislike or a desire to hurt someone's feelings.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- We went for a walk despite the rain.
- Despite the heavy traffic, the delivery arrived exactly on time for the event.
- The company reported record profits this quarter despite a significant increase in raw material costs and a global shortage of skilled labor.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.