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• but
  but

  conjunction

  on the contrary; yet.
• but-
  but-

  a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words.

but

¹ American  

[buht, buht] / bʌt, bət /

conjunction

1. on the contrary; yet.

   My brother went, but I did not.

2. except; save.

   She was so overcome with grief she could do nothing but weep.

3. unless; if not; except that (followed by a clause, often with that expressed).

   Nothing would do but that I should come in.

4. without the circumstance that.

   It never rains but it pours.

5. otherwise than.

   There is no hope but by prayer.

6. that (used especially after doubt, deny, etc., with a negative).

   I don't doubt but he will do it.

7. who not; that not.

   No leaders worthy of the name ever existed but they were optimists.

8. (used as an intensifier to introduce an exclamatory expression).

   But she's beautiful!

9. Informal. than.

   It no sooner started raining but it stopped.

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preposition

1. with the exception of; except; save.

   No one replied but me.

adverb

1. only; just.

   There is but one God.

noun

1. buts, reservations or objections.

   You'll do as you're told, no buts about it.

idioms

1. but what. what.

2. but for, except for; were it not for.

   But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.

but ² American  

[buht] / bʌt /

noun

Scot.

1. the outer or front room of a house; the outer or front apartment in an apartment house.

2. the kitchen of a two-room dwelling, especially of a cottage.

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but ³ American  

[buht] / bʌt /

noun

plural

but,

plural

buts

1. a variant of butt.

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but- ⁴ American  

1. a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words.

   butene.

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but ¹ British  

/ bət, bʌt /

conjunction

1. contrary to expectation

   he cut his knee but didn't cry

2. in contrast; on the contrary

   I like opera but my husband doesn't

3. (usually used after a negative) other than

   we can't do anything but wait

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conjunction

1. (usually used after a negative) without it happening or being the case that

   we never go out but it rains

2. (foll by that) except that

   nothing is impossible but that we live forever

3. archaic if not; unless

1. informal used to introduce an exclamation

   my, but you're nice

preposition

1. except; save

   they saved all but one of the pigs

2. were it not for

   but for you, we couldn't have managed

adverb

1. just; merely; only

   he was but a child

   I can but try

2. informal though; however

   it's a rainy day: warm, but

3. almost; practically

   he was all but dead when we found him

noun

1. an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts )

but ² British  

/ bʌt /

noun

1. the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen

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preposition

1. in or into the outer part (of a house) Compare ben 1

but More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing but

• all but
• all over but the shouting
• anything but
• can't help but
• close but no cigar
• everything but the kitchen sink
• it never rains but it pours
• last but not least
• no ifs or buts
• nothing but
• sadder but wiser
• separate but equal
• slow but sure
• spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
• there but for the grace of god

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Grammar

But, like and, is a common transitional word and often begins sentences. When it is used in the middle of a sentence as a coordinating conjunction like and or so, it is not followed by a comma unless the comma is one of a pair setting off a parenthetical expression: His political affiliations make no difference, but his lack of ethics does. The cast is nearly complete, but, our efforts notwithstanding, we lack a star. See also and, so ¹. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.

Usage

What are other ways to say but?

The conjunction but means “on the contrary,” and is used to indicate contrast or opposition between elements in a sentence. How is but different from however, nevertheless, still, and yet? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Related Words

See except ¹.

Etymology

Origin of but¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English buten, Old English būtan, contraction of be ūtan “on the outside, without”; see by ( def. ), out ( def. )

Origin of but²

First recorded in 1715–25; noun use of adverb but ¹ ( def. ) “outside, outside the house”

Origin of but-⁴

< but(yric) ( def. )

Explanation

But is the word that turns a corner in a sentence. If a sentence starts out in one direction, but can change that direction. For example: "I like you, but I never want to see you again." But can mean "however," "nonetheless," and "on the contrary" in three little letters. It's English efficiency at its best. But is short but powerful. But is everywhere but never unnecessary. But sometimes means "just," as in "I'll have but a few of those delicious candies." Grade schoolers might snicker, but the word would need another t to mean your "bottom."

Example Sentences

But the business value of some of these apps remains hazy, with brands citing issues with discoverability, data sharing and ownership of the customer relationship as challenges that still need to be worked out.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

But even if the team makes a few acrobatic leaps in its confidence and capabilities, the storytelling is so brisk that one really won’t care.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

But this time a Russian team has filled the space with an upside-down tree and experimental sound performances.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

But that support may now come under pressure, as Gulf governments divert resources towards rebuilding their own economies.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

But you won’t be if you don’t hurry up and tell Dad so you can submit the application.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam