Dictionary

be that as it may

Adverb

(idiomatic) Even if that is the case; whether that is true or not; nevertheless.
- 1732, Henry Grove, A Discourse concerning the Nature and Design of the Lord's Supper, 1753 Charles Wright edition, London, p. 37 (Google preview) ↗:
  Be that as it may, the duty of all communicants lies plain.
- 1776, William Combe, The Diaboliad: A Poem. Dedicated to the Worst Man in His Majesty's Dominions, G. Kearsly, London, p. 14:
  But be that as it may, the principle of it is founded in truth.
- 1858, Charles Dickens, Household Words, no 429 (12 June), p. 602:
  We English people, be that as it may, have among us the best nursing for love and the worst nursing for money that can be got in Europe.
- 1953 May 24, "Mr Dulles Visits South Asia," New York Times, p. E10:
  It has frequently been asserted in the Indian press that the United States does not understand India's position. . . . Be that as it may, it is certainly true that some sectors of Indian opinion likewise do not adequately understand the motives of the United States.
- 2005 June 23, Mark Miller, "No rest for this elder statesman of jazz," The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada), p. R3:
  "They seem to think I'm photogenic." Be that as it may, and Rollins surely is a striking figure, his music and only his music matters.

Synonyms

be it as it may, howbeit, nevertheless; see also Thesaurus:nevertheless

Translations

French: quoi qu'il en soit, en tout cas, de toute façon
German: wie dem auch sei
Italian: sia quel che sia
Portuguese: seja como for, de qualquer forma, de todo modo
Russian: (conjunction) как бы то ни́ бы́ло
Spanish: sea como fuere

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