but1
/bʌt
/ /bət /conjunction
1Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned: he stumbled but didn’t fall this is one principle, but it is not the only one the food is cheap but delicious the problem is not that they are cutting down trees, but that they are doing it in a predatory way...
- I would have liked to have had a longer deal but the get out clauses were prohibitive.
- We can destroy with a cutting quip or a damning phrase but nobody expects us to create.
- We continued to talk all though the lesson, but there was no mention of the dance.
Synonyms
yet;
nevertheless, nonetheless, even so, however, still, notwithstanding, despite that, in spite of that, for all that, all the same, just the same, at the same time, be that as it may;
though, although
informal still and all
archaic withal, natheless, howbeit
2 [with negative or in questions] Used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated: one cannot but sympathize there was nothing they could do but swallow their pride they had no alternative but to follow...
- Cause and effect are related in such a way that, if the first occurs, the second cannot but occur.
- This is another one of those Korean films that you cannot but have mixed feelings about.
- She knew he did not want to go, but she could still not help but feel anger at him.
Synonyms
(do) other than, otherwise than, except
3Used to introduce a response expressing a feeling such as surprise or anger: but that’s an incredible saving! but why?...
- We did not know what to expect, but what a fantastic surprise night, it was a real thrill.
- It is also very funny, but don't be surprised if you have to cross a protest line to see it.
- I was slow to acknowledge their response as I broke my leg, but thank you, one and all.
4Used after an expression of apology for what one is about to say: I’m sorry, but I can’t pay you...
- I'm sorry, but she laughs in her sleep and can never remember the joke in the morning.
- I apologise but it's being moved to a new server and should be up again by Saturday.
- Sorry to be repetitive but this guy was in the tube in Russell Square when the bomb went off!
5 [with negative] archaic Without it being the case that: it never rains but it pours...
- It never rains but it pours.
- Her Own Tribesmen Never but Say Her Age Is 300 Years.
- I did read the names that one time, and never but that one time.
preposition
1Except; apart from; other than: we were never anything but poor supply currently exceeds demand in all but the most rural areas the last but one...
- On some London high streets it is becoming difficult to go food shopping anywhere but Tesco.
- She was too shaken and frightened to do anything else but feel safe in the arms of Peter Grayson.
- She was shocked, too shock to do anything else but stare as he pulled her forward.
Synonyms
except (for), apart from, other than, besides, aside from, with the exception of, short of, bar, barring, excepting, excluding, omitting, leaving out, save (for), saving
informal outside of
1.1Used with repetition of certain words to give emphasis: nobody, but nobody, was going to stop her...
- Why nobody, but nobody will ever take mass transit as long as they have a choice.
- Nobody, but nobody, should eat a two pound burrito.
- Nobody, but Nobody, knows Mauritius like we do!
adverb
1No more than; only: he is but a shadow of his former self choose from a colourful array of mango, starfruit, and raspberries, to name but a few...
- In an important article in April 22 Haaretz Gideon Levy points out but a few cases within the year illustrating that movement equals death.
- I admire many artists like Gerhard Richter, Francis Bacon, and Edward Hopper to name but a few.
- Fast food, the gas station (as we knew it until the 1980's), the neon sign, and the motel to name but a few, are the affectations of the early highways.
Synonyms
only, just, simply, merely, no more than, nothing but;
a mere
Northern English informal nobbut
2Australian /NZ & Scottish informal (Used at the end of a sentence) though; however: he was a nice bloke but
noun
An argument against something; an objection: no buts—just get out of here as with all these proposals, ifs and buts abound...
- We are not going to talk about ifs and buts, like I say, just wait for the procedure to take its place and then at the end of that, if no one has made the decision for us, we'll have to make the decision.
- In the past 30 years, the food industry in Ireland, as represented by both the public and the private sectors, has created more ifs and buts than any other.
- Sydney - no ifs, no buts - is the commercial capital of Australia.
Usage
For advice about using but and other conjunctions to begin a sentence, see and (usage).
Phrases
but for
but that
but then
Origin
Old English be-ūtan, būtan, būta 'outside, without, except' (see by, out).
Rhymes
but2
/bʌt/noun Scottish
An outer room, especially in a two-roomed cottage.The 'but' was the outer room or kitchen and the 'ben' was the inner room or best room.
Phrases
but and ben
Origin
Early 18th century: from but1 in the early sense 'outside', specifically 'into the outer part of a house'.