but
BUHT
But (conjunction) means used to introduce a contrast or exception to what was just said. Example: “I wanted to go, but I was too tired.”
conjunction
1
Used to introduce a contrast or exception to what was just said.
"I wanted to go, but I was too tired."
"The film was long but genuinely entertaining."
"It was sunny, but the wind was surprisingly cold."
preposition
1
Except for; apart from.
"Everyone but Sam showed up to the party."
"Nobody but the teacher knew the answer."
"We ate everything but the broccoli at dinner."
adverb
1
Only; merely; just.
"He is but a child; you can't blame him."
"She is but a beginner, so please be patient with her."
"There is but one road leading to the village."
How to use but
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe all-purpose word for contrast ("I like it, but...") or for meaning "except" ("all but one").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
not only... but also
all but
anything but
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Word forms
- Plural
- buts
- Third person singular
- buts
- Past tense
- butted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I wanted to go, _____ I was too tired.
Etymology
From Old English butan, meaning "outside of, except," itself built from be- plus out.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “but” mean?
The word “but” means used to introduce a contrast or exception to what was just said. In plain terms, the all-purpose word for contrast ("I like it, but...") or for meaning "except" ("all but one").
How do you pronounce “but”?
“But” is pronounced BUHT (/ˈbʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “but” in a sentence?
Here is “but” used in a sentence: “I wanted to go, but I was too tired.”
What is another word for “but”?
Words with a similar meaning to “but” include abbur.
What part of speech is “but”?
Depending on how it is used, “but” can be a conjunction, a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “but” come from?
The word “but” comes from Old English. From Old English butan, meaning "outside of, except," itself built from be- plus out.
Is “but” a common word?
“But” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “but” have?
“But” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to introduce a contrast or exception to what was just said.
What is the difference between "but" and "however"?
Both introduce a contrast, but "but" is a conjunction that joins two clauses inside one sentence ("It was cold, but we went out"), while "however" is an adverb that usually starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon ("It was cold. However, we went out."). "However" also sounds more formal.
Can you start a sentence with "but"?
Yes. Starting a sentence with "but" is grammatically acceptable and common in professional writing, where it throws weight onto a contrast. The old schoolroom rule against it was a style preference rather than a rule of grammar; just avoid leaning on it too often in formal documents.
What is the difference between "but" and "yet"?
Both signal contrast, and in many sentences they are interchangeable. "Yet" tends to introduce something surprising given what came before ("simple yet effective"), carrying a slightly stronger sense of the unexpected, and it can sound more formal or literary than "but."
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing but in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
It had been a disastrous round but Joshua fired back just before the bell.
From
The Guardian · Jul 26, 2026
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