nothing but

Idioms  

1. Only, as in She thinks of nothing but money. This term was first recorded about 1380.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nothing but

Thus begins the story of Alexander Selkirk—the real Robinson Crusoe, who for 4½ years lived alone on an uninhabited island with nothing but rats, cats and goats to keep him company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

At the protest site in the capital Delhi, he began fasting on 28 June and has consumed nothing but salt and water since then, losing more than 9kg.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

To convey so much using nothing but the God-given tools in your arsenal is the mark of a truly great actor.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026

By the way, it’s not as if the primary coastal regulatory agency in the state — the California Coastal Commission — has said nothing but “no” over the years to oil projects and desalination plants.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

Ashmodai had vanished, leaving nothing but his empty desk and a fire crackling away in the hearth.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• alone
• entirely
• hardly
• merely
• particularly
• purely
• simply
• solely