despite
dih-SPYT
Despite (preposition) means Without being prevented by; even though something might suggest otherwise. Example: “Despite feeling tired, he stayed up to finish the report.”
preposition
1
Without being prevented by; even though something might suggest otherwise.
"Despite feeling tired, he stayed up to finish the report."
"Despite the rain, the match went ahead."
"She passed the exam despite having barely studied."
How to use despite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to introduce something that doesn't stop the main statement from being true.
Common mistake
Never follow "despite" with "of" — say "despite the weather," not "despite of the weather" (that's "in spite of").
Common pairings
despite the fact that
despite this
despite having
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Word forms
- Plural
- despites
- Third person singular
- despites
- Past tense
- despited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ feeling tired, he stayed up to finish the report.
Etymology
From Old French despit, from Latin despectus, "a looking down on" — from despicere, "to despise". The preposition grew out of the phrase "in despite of".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
because of
Related words
Rhymes for despite
See all rhymes for despite →Frequently asked questions
What does “despite” mean?
The word “despite” means without being prevented by; even though something might suggest otherwise. In plain terms, used to introduce something that doesn't stop the main statement from being true.
How do you pronounce “despite”?
“Despite” is pronounced dih-SPYT (/dɪˈspaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “despite” in a sentence?
Here is “despite” used in a sentence: “Despite the rain, the match went ahead.”
What is the opposite of “despite”?
The opposite of “despite” — its antonyms — is because of.
What part of speech is “despite”?
“Despite” is a preposition.
Where does the word “despite” come from?
The word “despite” comes from Latin. From Old French despit, from Latin despectus, "a looking down on" — from despicere, "to despise". The preposition grew out of the phrase "in despite of".
Is “despite” a common word?
“Despite” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between despite and despise?
They sound similar but are unrelated. 'Despite' is a preposition meaning 'even though' or 'regardless of' — 'She smiled despite the rain.' 'Despise' is a verb meaning to look down on or strongly dislike someone or something — 'They despise cheating.' One introduces a contrast; the other expresses contempt.
What is the difference between 'despite' and 'in spite of'?
There is virtually no difference in meaning — both introduce something that contrasts with the main statement, and they are interchangeable. 'Despite the cost' and 'in spite of the cost' say the same thing. 'Despite' is one word and slightly more concise, which is why it is common in formal writing.
Is it correct to say 'despite of'?
No. 'Despite of' is a common mistake. The word 'despite' already includes the sense of 'of,' so it is followed directly by a noun: 'despite the delay,' not 'despite of the delay.' If you want to use 'of,' choose the phrase 'in spite of' instead.
What is the difference between 'despite' and 'although'?
Both signal a contrast, but they work differently in a sentence. 'Despite' is a preposition followed by a noun or -ing phrase: 'Despite being tired, she ran.' 'Although' is a conjunction followed by a full clause with a subject and verb: 'Although she was tired, she ran.'
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