but

1 of 5

conjunction

ˈbət 

1

a

: except for the fact

would have protested but that he was afraid

b

: that

—used after a negative

there is no doubt but he won

c

: without the concomitant that

it never rains but it pours

d

: if not : unless

e

: than

no sooner started but it stopped

—not often in formal use

2

a

: on the contrary : on the other hand : notwithstanding

—used to connect coordinate elements

he was called but he did not answer

not peace but a sword

b

: yet

poor but proud

c

: with the exception of

—used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause

none but the brave deserves the fair

—John Dryden

but

2 of 5

preposition

1

a

: with the exception of : barring

no one there but me

compare but entry 1 sense 2c

b

: other than

this letter is nothing but an insult

2

Scotland

a

: without, lacking

b

: outside

but

3 of 5

adverb

1

: only, merely

he is but a child

2

Scotland : outside

3

: to the contrary

who knows but that she may succeed

4

—used as an intensive

get there but fast

but

4 of 5

pronoun

: that not : who not

nobody but has his fault

—William Shakespeare

but

5 of 5

noun

Scotland

: the kitchen or living quarters of a 2-room cottage

Phrases

but that

: that

—used after a negative

there is no doubt but that it must be done

but what

: that … not

—used to indicate possibility or uncertainty

I don't know but what I will go

Synonyms

Conjunction

• except
• excepting
• only
• saving
• yet

Preposition

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

Adverb

• just
• merely
• only
• purely
• simply

Examples of but in a Sentence

Conjunction

We had no choice but to leave.

They've done nothing but argue all afternoon.

Preposition

There was no one there but him.

I didn't tell anyone but my sister.

Who but you would think that?

Adverb

They have but two weeks to get ready.

she is but a child and too young to understand such things

Recent Examples on the Web

Conjunction

But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts. —Daniel M. Jimenez, The Cannifornian, 22 June 2017

But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat. —Chad Graff, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017

Preposition

Normally, big job losses trigger massive searches for full-time jobs, but this crisis has been anything but normal. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 1 June 2020

Despite the pleas for calm, the nation seemed anything but as a fitful week drew to a close. —Robert Klemko, Washington Post, 30 May 2020

Adverb

After all, even the most ardent opponents of the settlements could not but sympathize with the horrible fate of three innocent boys. —Barak Mendelsohn, Foreign Affairs, 14 July 2014

Consider the original 18-to-20-inch base moldings in the living room, an element the client had first fallen in love with but that were all but wiped out. —Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

But the details, the ifs, ands and buts, can’t obscure the big picture through 11 practices: Maye is not ready to start yet. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2024

There are a few ‘ifs and buts’ in this signing, though. —Laia Cervelló Herrero and More, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction, Preposition, Adverb, and Pronoun

Middle English, from Old English būtan, preposition & conjunction, outside, without, except, except that; akin to Old High German būzan without, except; akin to Old English be by, ūt out — more at by entry 1, out entry 1

Noun

Scots but, adjective (outer)

First Known Use

Conjunction

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1724, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing but

• all but
• all but certain to
• anything but
• but for
• but that
• but then
• but then again
• but what
• cannot but
• cannot help but
• close but no cigar
• everything but the kitchen sink
• have no one to blame but oneself
• in all/everything but name
• it never rains but it pours
• last but not least
• none but
• nothing but skin and bones
• nothing but trouble
• penny-wise and/but pound-foolish
• slowly but surely
• (there) but for the grace of God (go I)
• the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
• what/who should someone see but

Kids Definition

but

1 of 3 conjunction

(ˈ)bət 

1

a

: except that : unless

it never rains but it pours

b

: that entry 3 sense 1b

—used after a negative

there is no doubt but he won

2

a

: while just the opposite

I ski but you don't

b

: yet nevertheless

fell but wasn't hurt

c

: except sense 2

no one but you may enter

but

2 of 3 preposition

1

: with the exception of

no one there but me

2

: other than

this letter is nothing but an insult

but

3 of 3 adverb

: no more than : only

we have but two weeks to get ready