except
12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for except, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Preposition — Used to introduce something left out of a general statement.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use except
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle French excepter, from Latin exceptus, "taken out."
Full origin of except →Frequently asked questions
What does “except” mean?
The word “except” means used to introduce something left out of a general statement. In plain terms, apart from; leaving one thing out of the rest.
How do you pronounce “except”?
“Except” is pronounced ihk-SEHPT (/ɪkˈsɛpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “except” in a sentence?
Here is “except” used in a sentence: “Everyone came to the party except Sarah.”
What is the opposite of “except”?
The opposite of “except” — its antonyms — are in addition to, for example and even.
What part of speech is “except”?
Depending on how it is used, “except” can be a preposition, a conjunction and a verb.
Where does the word “except” come from?
The word “except” comes from Latin. From Middle French excepter, from Latin exceptus, "taken out.".
Is “except” a common word?
“Except” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “except” have?
“Except” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to introduce something left out of a general statement.
What is the difference between except and accept?
Except means not including or apart from; it leaves something out, as in everyone except me. Accept is a verb meaning to receive or agree to something, as in I accept your offer. They sound similar but differ completely in meaning. Remember: accept and agree both start with an a.
What is the difference between 'except' and 'except for'?
They are very close. Both introduce an exclusion, and often either works: everyone came except, or except for, Sam. Except for is preferred at the start of a sentence, as in except for the rain, it was perfect, and when excluding a whole idea rather than a single item.
Can 'except' be used as a verb?
Yes, though it is less common. As a verb, to except means to exclude or leave out, as in present company excepted. You will also see it in formal phrases like excepting weekends. In everyday English, however, except is used far more often as a preposition meaning apart from.
What is an example of 'except' in a sentence?
The shop is open every day except Sunday. Here, except leaves Sunday out of the general statement that the shop is open daily. Other examples: I like all fruit except bananas, or everyone passed except two students. It always signals what does not fit the wider claim.