nevertheless

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌnɛvəðəˈlɛs/ (UK); /ˌnɛvɚðəˈlɛs/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English never the lesse, from never, the (in its adverbial use, as in “the more the merrier”) and less.^[2][3][4] Never here means “not at all”, as in “never the wiser”.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Notwithstanding: before 1300 in the OED, the early 14th century in Etymonline, as neuer þe lesse;^[5][2] written as one word from the mid-14th century.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Middle English had several similar forms, such as neverthelater (about 1200), never-less and not-the-less;^[2] compare nonetheless.^[2] Collins notes a literary contracted form ne'ertheless.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 1200 – neverthelater.^[2]
• before 1300 – never the less.^[5]
• mid-14th century – written as one word.^[2]

Modern meaning

Adverb

1. In spite of that; however; all the same.

Related words

• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• never
• less

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins