albeit
Albeit (conjunction) means Even though; although. Example: “She finished the marathon, albeit slowly.”
How to use albeit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA single-word way of saying "although" or "even though," usually placed mid-sentence before a qualifying detail.
Fairly formal; common in writing, less so in casual speech.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She finished the marathon, _____ slowly.
Etymology
A fusion of the Middle English phrase "al be it (that)," literally "although it be that."
Related words
Rhymes for albeit
See all rhymes for albeit →Frequently asked questions
What does “albeit” mean?
The word “albeit” means even though; although. In plain terms, a single-word way of saying "although" or "even though," usually placed mid-sentence before a qualifying detail.
How do you pronounce “albeit”?
“Albeit” is pronounced awl-BEE-iht (/ɔlˈbi.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “albeit” in a sentence?
Here is “albeit” used in a sentence: “She finished the marathon, albeit slowly.”
What part of speech is “albeit”?
“Albeit” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “albeit” come from?
The word “albeit” comes from Middle English. A fusion of the Middle English phrase "al be it (that)," literally "although it be that.".
Is “albeit” a common word?
“Albeit” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between albeit and although?
"Although" normally introduces a full clause with its own subject and verb, while "albeit" is usually followed by a single word or short phrase. For example, "a useful, albeit expensive, tool" rather than "albeit it was expensive."
Is albeit formal or informal?
Albeit is fairly formal and appears more often in writing than in everyday speech. In casual conversation, "though" or "even if" often sounds more natural.
Can you start a sentence with albeit?
Albeit usually appears in the middle of a sentence, introducing a concessive phrase after a comma. Starting a whole sentence with it is unusual and can read awkwardly.
Is albeit written as one word or three?
In modern English, albeit is always written as a single word. The spelling "all be it" is not used in current standard writing.
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