except for

preposition

1

: with the exception of

everyone was gone except for me

2

: were it not for

except for you I would be dead

Synonyms

• apart from
• aside from
• bar
• barring
• beside
• besides
• but
• except
• excepting
• excluding
• exclusive of
• other than
• outside
• outside of
• save
• saving

Examples of except for in a Sentence

except for newscasts, I hardly watch any television at all

Recent Examples on the Web

Childhood vaccination rates remain lower among children born in 2020 and 2021 than those born in 2018 and 2019, except for vaccines given at birth, according to a September study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025

Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest). —Dan Avery, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025

In addition to outgoing President Biden and first lady Jill, all are expected to attend except for Michelle Obama, who is skipping the event for unknown reasons. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2025

All five of the women were prostitutes and they were all mutilated, except for one, according to the BBC. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

except for

preposition

: with the exception of : but for

all A's except for a B in Latin