But Definition

but

English

Etymology

From Middle English but, buten, boute, bouten, from Old English būtan (“out of, outside of, off, round about, except, without, all but, but only, besides, in addition to, in spite of, except that, save, but, only, unless, save that, if only, provided that, outside”), equivalent to be- +‎ out. Cognate with Dutch buiten (“without, outside”), Low German būten (“without, outside”). Compare bin, about.

Pronunciation

• (stressed) enPR: bŭt, IPA: /bʌt/, SAMPA: /bVt/
• (unstressed) enPR: bət, IPA: /bət/, SAMPA: /b@t/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌt
• Homophone: butt

Preposition

but

1. (obsolete, except in Scotland) Outside of.

   Away but the hoose and tell me whae's there.

2. Without, apart from, except.

   Everyone but Father left early.

   I like everything but that.

Adverb

but (not comparable)

1. Merely, only.

   Since that day, my mood has changed but a little.

   • 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

     Now the Wicked Witch of the West had but one eye, yet that was as powerful as a telescope, and could see everywhere. So, as she sat in the door of her castle, she happened to look around and saw Dorothy lying asleep, with her friends all about her. They were a long distance off, but the Wicked Witch was angry to find them in her country; so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck.

2. (Australian) (conjunctive) Though, however.

   I'll have to go home early but.

Conjunction

Wikipedia

but

1. Except (for), excluding. Preceded by a negation.

   I have no choice but to leave.

   • 2011 October 23, Becky Ashton, “QPR 1 - 0 Chelsea”, BBC Sport:

     Luiz struggled with the movement of Helguson in the box, as he collected a long ball and the Spaniard barged him over, leaving referee Chris Foy little option but to point to the spot.

2. On the contrary, but rather (introducing a word or clause that contrasts with or contradicts the preceding clause or sentence without the not).

   I am not rich but (I am) poor.

   Not John but Peter went there.

3. However, although, nevertheless (implies that the following clause is contrary to prior belief or contrasts with or contradicts the preceding clause or sentence).

   She is very old but still attractive.

   You told me I could do that, but she said that I could not.

4. Without it also happening that; unless that (introducing a necessary concomitant).

   It never rains but it pours.

Usage notes

• Beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction such as but is considered incorrect by classical grammarians arguing that a coordinating conjunction at the start of a sentence has nothing to connect, but use of the word in this way is very common. It is, however, best to avoid beginning a sentence with but in formal writing. Combining sentences or using however, nevertheless, still, or though is appropriate for the formal style.
  • But this tool has its uses.
  • This tool has its uses, however.
  • Nevertheless, this tool has its uses.
  • Still, this tool has its uses.
  • This tool still has its uses.
  • This tool has its uses, though.

• The use of the word but preceded by a comma is also considered incorrect by classical grammarians.
  • I was very tired, but I decided to continue.
  • It was a lovely day, but rain looked likely.

Synonyms

• (except): bar, unless, excepting, excluding, with the exception of, without
• (however): yet, although, ac

Derived terms

• all but

Noun

but (plural buts)

1. An instance or example of using the word "but"

   It has to be done – no ifs or buts.

2. (Scotland) The outer room of a small two-room cottage.

Statistics

• Most common English words before 1923: or · from · this · #29: but · all · him · she

Anagrams

• BTU
• tub

Danish

Etymology

From Low German.

Adjective

but

1. (rare) blunt

Synonyms

• stump

Antonyms

• spids

French

Pronunciation

• audio

  (file)

• (France) IPA: /by(t)/, SAMPA: /by(t)/
• (Quebec) IPA: /by/, SAMPA: /by/

Etymology 1

From Middle French but (“mark, goal”), from Old French but (“aim, goal, end, target”), from Old French butte (“mound, knoll, target”), from Frankish *but (“stump, log”), or from Old Norse bútr (“log, stump, butt”); both from Proto-Germanic *butan (“end, piece”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰÀud- (“to beat, push”). Cognate with Old English butt (“tree stump”). More at butt.

Noun

but m. (plural buts)

1. aim
2. goal (result one is attempting to achieve)
3. (sports) goal (in the place, act, or point sense)

Synonyms

• fin
• objectif
• dessein
• point

Related terms

• buter
• buteur, buteuse

Etymology 2

From boire.

Verb form

but

1. Third-person singular indicative simple past of boire

Maltese

Noun

but m.

1. pocket

Polish

Pronunciation

• IPA: [but]

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

but m.

1. shoe
2. boot

Declension

Romani

Adjective

but (comparative majbut, superlative legmajbut)

1. many

Scots

Noun

but (plural buts)

1. The outer room of a small two-room cottage.

Preposition

but

1. Outside of, without.

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

From Turkish but, bud.

Noun

bȕt m. (Cyrillic spelling бу̏т)

1. thigh
2. ham

Declension

Turkish

Etymology

From Old Turkic būt, from Proto-Turkic.

Noun

but

1. thigh

Synonyms

• uyluk

Related 'But' Searches:

See Also:

• Home
• Epicene
• Iso Ma
• Lacrosse
• Man
• Menen
• Menens
• Mens
• Mens Rules
• Virility