Idioms for but
but for,
except for; were it not for: But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.
but what.
what(def 25).
Origin of but
1synonym study for but
1.
But,
however,
nevertheless,
still,
yet are words implying opposition (with a possible concession).
But marks an opposition or contrast, though in a casual way:
We are going, but we shall return.
However indicates a less marked opposition, but displays a second consideration to be compared with the first:
We are going; however (
“notice this also” ),
we shall return.
Nevertheless implies a concession, something which should not be forgotten in making a summing up:
We are going; nevertheless (
“do not forget that” ),
we shall return.
Still implies that in spite of a preceding concession, something must be considered as possible or even inevitable:
We have to go on foot; still (
“it is probable and possible that” ),
we'll get there.
Yet implies that in spite of a preceding concession, there is still a chance for a different outcome:
We are going; yet (
“in spite of all, some day” ),
we shall return.
2. See
except1.
usage note for but
1.
But, like
and, is a common transitional word and often begins sentences. When it is used in the middle of a sentence as a coordinating conjunction like
and or
so, it is not followed by a comma unless the comma is one of a pair setting off a parenthetical expression:
His political affiliations make no difference, but his lack of ethics does. The cast is nearly complete, but, our efforts notwithstanding, we lack a star. See also
and,
so1.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH but
but buttWords nearby but
Definition for but (2 of 5)
but
2
[ buht ]
/ bʌt /
noun Scot.
the outer or front room of a house; the outer or front apartment in an apartment house.
the kitchen of a two-room dwelling, especially of a cottage.
Origin of but
2
1715–25; noun use of
but1 (adv.) outside, outside the house
Definition for but (3 of 5)
Definition for but (4 of 5)
butt
5
or but
[ buht ]
/ bʌt /
any of several flatfishes, especially the halibut.
Origin of butt
5
1250–1300; Middle English
butte; cognate with
Sw
butta turbot, German
Butt brill, turbot, flounder, Dutch
bot flounder
Definition for but (5 of 5)
but-
a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words: butene.
Origin of but-
British Dictionary definitions for but (1 of 7)
Word Origin for but
Old English
būtan without, outside, except, from
be
by +
ūtan
out; related to Old Saxon
biūtan, Old High German
biūzan
British Dictionary definitions for but (2 of 7)
but
2
/ (bʌt) Scot /
noun
the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen
preposition, adverb
in or into the outer part (of a house)
Compare ben 1
Word Origin for but
C18: from
but (adv) outside, hence, outer room; see
but
1
British Dictionary definitions for but (3 of 7)
Butt
/ (bʌt) /
noun
Dame Clara . 1872–1936, English contralto
British Dictionary definitions for but (4 of 7)
butt
1
/ (bʌt) /
noun
the thicker or blunt end of something, such as the end of the stock of a rifle
the unused end of something, esp of a cigarette; stub
tanning
the portion of a hide covering the lower backside of the animal
US and Canadian informal
the buttocks
US a slang word for cigarette
building trades short for butt joint, butt hinge
Word Origin for butt
C15 (in the sense: thick end of something, buttock): related to Old English
buttuc end, ridge, Middle Dutch
bot stumpy
British Dictionary definitions for but (5 of 7)
butt
2
/ (bʌt) /
noun
a person or thing that is the target of ridicule, wit, etc
shooting archery
- a mound of earth behind the target on a target range that stops bullets or wide shots
- the target itself
- (plural) the target range
a low barrier, usually of sods or peat, behind which sportsmen shoot game birds, esp grouse
archaic
goal; aim
verb
(usually foll by on or against)
to lie or be placed end on to; abut
to butt a beam against a wall
Word Origin for butt
C14 (in the sense: mark for archery practice): from Old French
but; related to French
butte knoll, target
British Dictionary definitions for but (6 of 7)
butt
3
/ (bʌt) /
verb
to strike or push (something) with the head or horns
(intr)
to project; jut
(intr ; foll by in or into)
to intrude, esp into a conversation; interfere; meddle
butt out informal, mainly US and Canadian
to stop interfering or meddling
noun
a blow with the head or horns
Derived forms of butt
butter, nounWord Origin for butt
C12: from Old French
boter, of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch
botten to strike; see
beat,
button
British Dictionary definitions for but (7 of 7)
butt
4
/ (bʌt) /
noun
a large cask, esp one with a capacity of two hogsheads, for storing wine or beer
a US unit of liquid measure equal to 126 US gallons
Word Origin for butt
C14: from Old French
botte, from Old Provençal
bota, from Late Latin
buttis cask, perhaps from Greek
butinē chamber pot
Idioms and Phrases with but
but