Definition and meaning of English word "but"
but
/bʌt/
Meaning
PrepositionApart from, except (for), excluding.
How to use
The preposition 'but' is commonly used to indicate a contrast or exception in a sentence. For example, 'I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining.' In formal writing, 'but' is often used to introduce a concession or a qualification. However, in informal writing, it's not uncommon to see 'but' used as a conjunction to connect two clauses. One common mistake learners make is using 'but' to start a sentence, which can make the sentence sound abrupt or even rude. A more polished way to phrase it would be to rephrase the sentence to avoid starting with 'but'.
🇬🇧 English
but
Example
I like it but
I am tired but
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- but for— Except for, excluding.
- except for— Apart from, excluding.
- excluding— Leaving out, omitting.
- apart from— Separately, independently.
- barring— Excepting, excluding.
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #17 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "but" mean?▼
The English word "but" means "but" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "but"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "but" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "but"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Contrast" (which translates as "but").
More Connectors & Prepositions words
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