all but

1. Almost, nearly, as in I've all but finished the book. This expression was used by Andrew Marvell in “Thoughts in a Garden”: “Society is all but rude, To this delicious solitude.” [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

A month ago, markets were all but certain the Federal Reserve would issue another interest-rate cut in December.

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“Whether you know it or not, you have the answers to my questions. The frequency of your sunsum is identical to Mother’s, albeit much more … diluted. You’ll explain this all. But first we’ll have to move to a more secure location so none of these pesky Queen Mothers get in my way.”

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Penelope knew it as well as she knew her own name, yet she had all but given up hope for the Babushkinovs.

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Now the memory of her was all but erased, as if it had been written in invisible ink.

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“Simon! Where, oh where is your promised letter? What has Madame Ionesco told you about the curse upon the Ashtons, and how to rid ourselves of it once and for all, but without bloodshed or treachery?”

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Related Words

• about 
• approximately 
• around 
• essentially 
• most 
• much 
• practically 
• relatively 
• roughly 
• virtually