but

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").

“But” is pronounced BUHT (/ˈbʌt/ in IPA).

Here is “but” used in a sentence: “I wanted to go, but I was too tired.”

Words with a similar meaning to “but” include abbur.

Depending on how it is used, “but” can be a conjunction, a preposition and an adverb.

The word “but” comes from Old English. From Old English butan, meaning "outside of, except," itself built from be- plus out.

“But” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“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.

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.

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.

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."