albeit

conjunction

al·​be·​it ȯl-ˈbē-ət 

al-

: even though : although

an enjoyable, albeit expensive, vacation

Did you know?

Albeit dates to the 14th century and comes from a Middle English word meaning, literally, "all (or completely) though it be." Its heritage is clear in its pronunciation, which is as though it were three words instead of one: all, be, it. In the early 20th century, albeit was accused of being archaic. That descriptor was never quite accurate; the word had mostly been holding steady at "not-terribly-common" since at least the mid-18th century. When albeit began to see a marked increase in use in the mid-20th century, several usage commentators proclaimed that it was making a comeback, and its "archaic" descriptor was fully recognized as no longer apt.

Synonyms

• although
• altho
• as
• howbeit
• much as
• notwithstanding
• though
• when
• whereas
• while
• whilst [chiefly British]

Examples of albeit in a Sentence

… living a modest life as an editor wasn't as appealing as living in the grand style, albeit as someone else's valet. —Leslie Bennetts, Vanity Fair, Sept. 2000

As created during the Depression by a promoter named Leo Seltzer, roller derby was the first sport in which men and women competed on the same team, albeit on a separate-but-equal basis, alternating periods on the track. —Frank Deford, New York Times Magazine, 4 Jan. 1998

… customers seemed generally cheery, albeit some were more cautious than others … —Cynthia Clark, Publishers Weekly, 26 Jan. 1998

But suppose the life were in many ways a mess, albeit a fascinating, courageous, picturesque and emotionally intense mess … —Diane Ackerman, New York Times Book Review, 23 Aug. 1987

She appeared on the show, albeit briefly.

It was an amazing computer, albeit expensive.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, literally, all though it be

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

albeit

conjunction

al·​be·​it ȯl-ˈbē-ət 

al-

: even though : although