English Reference
Adverb

nonetheless

adv. sent.
C1 Advanced Oxford US /ˌnənðəˈɫɛs/ UK /nˌʌnðəlˈɛs/ none·the·less

adv.despite what was just said. You use it to show that something is still true even if there is a problem or a different fact.

adv.in spite of what has just been mentioned; nevertheless. Functions as a conjunctive adverb to introduce a contrastive point.


SIMPLE

The hike was exhausting, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

CONTEXTUAL

The evidence was purely circumstantial; nonetheless, the jury found the defendant guilty of the crime.

COMPLEX

While the initial experiments failed to yield the expected results, the data gathered was nonetheless invaluable for refining the subsequent research methodology.

Usage

Typically used as a transition between two independent clauses or at the end of a sentence to provide contrast.

Pitfall
He was tired, nonetheless he finished.He was tired; nonetheless, he finished.

When used to connect two independent clauses, it requires a semicolon or a full stop before it, not just a comma.

Usage nonetheless provide · nonetheless remain

But in rearing their head one after another, these events have nonetheless spurred fears about AI's capabilities and where these are headed as developers forge ahead.

BBC News· 6 Aug 2026

Nonetheless, campaigners believe there is enough evidence to show that regulation is urgently needed.

BBC News· 22 Jul 2026

Common in sport writing


From Middle English *non-the-les, variant of no-the-les, noþeles, naþelees, from Old English nān þȳ lǣs, nā þē lǣs, nā þȳ lǣs. By surface analysis, none + the + less.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English nān þȳ lǣs
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated