but
24 ENTRIES FOUND:
- but (conjunction)
- but (preposition)
- but (adverb)
- but (noun)
- all but (adverb)
- anything (pronoun)
- cigar (noun)
- god (noun)
- last (adverb)
- least (adverb)
- name (noun)
- none (pronoun)
- penny–wise (adjective)
- pound–foolish (adjective)
- pour (verb)
- rain (verb)
- see (verb)
- should (verb)
- slowly (adverb)
- spirit (noun)
- surely (adverb)
- then (adverb)
- weak (adjective)
- willing (adjective)
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUT
1
— used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way
-
I don't know her, but my husband does.
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He wants to go to the movies, but I want to go to the museum.
-
He plans to visit Boston and Chicago, but not New York.
-
The book is not a biography at all but (instead is) a fictional account.
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It's not the music I don't like but (rather) the band themselves.
-
She got the promotion not by luck but by hard work.
-
The fighting has been going on for years. But to really understand the current situation, you have to look at the history of the region.
-
She called his name, but he did not answer.
-
He fell but (he) wasn't hurt/injured.
-
I told him to stay, but he refused to.
-
It might have been raining, but it was still a nice wedding.
-
I'd love to come to the party, but [=however] I'll be away that weekend.
-
I'm sorry, but I won't be able to help you.
-
The dress is quite plain but (it's) pretty.
-
They were polite, but not really friendly.
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Not only was it quite cold on our trip, but it rained the whole time too.
-
I can't do it—but neither can you.
2
3
— used in speech at the beginning of a sentence that expresses surprise, shock, etc.
-
But you promised (that) you would help me with this.
-
But it's not fair for them to treat him this way!
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They've arrived? But I thought they were coming Tuesday.
4
— used with a repeated word for emphasis
-
Nobody but nobody could solve the riddle.
but then
1
— used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement
— sometimes used to introduce an explanation for something
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I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.
-
I'm sure she would do a wonderful job on the project, but then I know she's very busy.
-
His cakes are amazing—but then he did study with some of the best pastry chefs in the world.
2
— used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next
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The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.
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The disease was said to be untreatable, but then a new medication was introduced.
2
but
/ˈbʌt/
/bət/
preposition
2
but
/ˈbʌt/
/bət/
preposition
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUT
:
other than (something or someone)
:
except
-
We had nothing but rain all week. [=it rained for the entire week]
-
There was no one there but him.
-
I didn't tell anyone but my sister.
-
Who but you would think that?
-
No one but you would try that. = No one would try that but you.
-
I was anything but tired. [=I was not at all tired]
but for
:
if not for (something or someone)
:
without (something or someone)
-
We would never have visited the town but for [=except for] the newspaper article about local artists.
-
The score would have been higher but for some excellent goaltending.
3
but
/ˈbʌt/
/bət/
adverb
3
but
/ˈbʌt/
/bət/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUT
formal
1
:
2only
— sometimes used for emphasis
-
They have but two weeks to get ready.
-
If they had but given me a chance, I know I could have done it.
-
He was here but five minutes ago.
-
She is still but a child.
-
This new product offers many advantages: speed, convenience, and durability, to name but a few.
2
— used in negative statements to say that something must happen
—
see also all but
-
Anyone who reads the book cannot but feel sympathy for him. [=must feel sympathy for him]
-
I could not (help) but wonder [=I felt compelled to wonder, I could not help wondering] why she had lied.
plural
buts
plural
buts
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUT
[count]
:
a reason someone gives for not doing or agreeing with something
— usually plural
-
I want this done today, and I don't want to hear any buts about it.
-
(US) As far as I'm concerned, she's the most qualified candidate, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! = (Brit) There are no ifs and buts about it! [=it is certain that she is the most qualified candidate]
