But Definition

bŭt; bət when unstressed
conjuntion
And on the contrary.
I am old, but you are young.
Webster's New World
And in spite of this; and even so; yet.
He is a villain, but he has some virtues.
Webster's New World
Used to indicate an exception.
No one but she saw the prowler.
American Heritage
That.
I don't question but you're correct.
Webster's New World
With the exception that; except that. Often used with that:
Would have joined the band but he couldn't spare the time; would have resisted but that they lacked courage.
American Heritage
preposition
With the exception of; excepting; save [nobody came but me]
Webster's New World
Except; other than.
We cannot choose but (to) stay.
Webster's New World
adverb
Only.
If I had but known.
Webster's New World
Merely; no more than; not otherwise than.
He is but a child.
Webster's New World
Used as an intensive.
Get out of here but fast!
American Heritage
Just.
I heard it but now.
Webster's New World
On the other hand; yet.
Webster's New World
noun
A concern or objection.
My offer is final, no ifs, ands, or buts.
American Heritage
The outer room, esp. the kitchen, of a cottage.
Webster's New World

An instance or example of using the word "but".

It has to be done – no ifs or buts.
Wiktionary
A limit; a boundary.
Wiktionary

The end; especially the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end; the butt.

Wiktionary
prefix
Containing a group of four carbon atoms.
Butyl.
American Heritage
pronoun
Who . . . not; which . . . not.
Not a man but felt it.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of But

Noun

Singular:
but
Plural:
buts

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to But

Origin of But

  • From Middle English but, buten, boute, bouten, from Old English būtan (“out of, outside of, off, round about, except, without, all but, but only, besides, in addition to, in spite of, except that, save, but, only, unless, save that, if only, provided that, outside”), equivalent to be- +‎ out. Cognate with Scots but, bot (“outside, without, but”), West Frisian bûten (“outside of, apart from, other than, except, but”), Dutch buiten (“outside”), German Low German buuten, buute (“outside”), Dutch Low Saxon buten (“outside”). Compare bin, about.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English būtan ud- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From butyric

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to but using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

but