conjunction
but
BUHT
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."
preposition
1
Except for; apart from.
"Everyone but Sam showed up to the party."
adverb
1
Only; merely; just.
"He is but a child; you can't blame him."
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").
Common pairings
not only... but also
all but
anything but
Word Forms
butted past tense, buts plural, Buts plural, buts singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “but”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
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.