Let’s start with the definitions of each of these words: 

However can mean: 

  • In whatever manner or way | Example: “I will support you however I can.”
  • To whatever degree or extent | Example: “The medical team couldn’t convince him to get regular checkups however hard they tried.”
  • In spite of that | on the other hand | Example: “This home loan has a lower interest rate; however, I think I’ll still go with the other lender because they seem less shady.”
  • How in the world | Example: “However did you manage to do that?”

Although means:

  • In spite of the fact that | even though | Example: “He hasn’t contracted COVID-19, although he is a nurse who has treated many patients with the virus.”

Though means:

  • In spite of the fact that | while | Example: “Though she knows the Phoenix Mercury had a rocky season of WNBA basketball, she hopes they come back better than ever next year.”
  • In spite of the possibility that | even if | Example: “Though my friend overwatered my aloe plant to the brink of death, I’m going to try to bring it back to life.”
  • However, nevertheless | “It’s hard to live in Phoenix in the summer. I enjoy pool time though.”

The bottom line is that all three of these words have overlap in the meaning “in spite of.” However is a bit more versatile across the board with the biggest range of definitions, while although and though can often be used interchangeably. The difference between although and though is how they are used. Although is only a conjunction whereas though can be used as a conjunction and an adverb. 

 

Here, although and though can be used interchangeably as conjunctions: 

  • Although smoking cessation is just one way to save lives and decrease costs to insurance companies, getting people to quit has a widespread effect across families and communities, thus increasing population health.
  • Some new apartment homes, though spacious and beautifully decorated, still maintain fair market prices. 

Here, though is used as an adverb and cannot be interchanged with although: In 2022, though, we expect year-over-year sales to be through the roof.