except

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.

“Except” is pronounced ihk-SEHPT (/ɪkˈsɛpt/ in IPA).

Here is “except” used in a sentence: “Everyone came to the party except Sarah.”

The opposite of “except” — its antonyms — are in addition to, for example and even.

Depending on how it is used, “except” can be a preposition, a conjunction and a verb.

The word “except” comes from Latin. From Middle French excepter, from Latin exceptus, "taken out.".

“Except” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Except” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to introduce something left out of a general statement.

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.

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.

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.

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.