but

Less common meanings

4. 4
   exceptpreposition

   Except for, not including, as in 'everyone but me'.

   Everyone came to the party but Tom.

   There was nothing left but crumbs.

   UsageSay everyone but Tom, or no choice but to go.

   Similarexcept, besides, excluding, save, barring

   Note
5. 5
   conjunction

   Used after 'cannot' or 'nothing' to mean 'except', as in 'I can't help but laugh'.

   I couldn't help but smile.

   He did nothing but complain all day.

   UsageUse the verb with no to: can't help but smile (not incorrect: can't help but to smile).

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   An objection or a reason against something, as in 'no buts'.

   You're going to bed now. No buts!

   There's always a but with him.

   UsageNo buts! means don't argue.

   Similarobjection, caveat, condition, reservation, proviso

   Note
7. 7
   adverbliterary

   Only, or nothing more than.

   He is but a boy, and frightened.

   We can but hope for rain.

   Similaronly, just, merely, simply

   Note
8. 8
   emphasisconjunctioncolloquial

   Used after words like 'oh' or 'my' to make what follows stronger.

   Oh, but that pie was delicious!

   My, but you've grown!

   Note
9. 9
   conjunctionarchaic

   An old use meaning unless or without, as in 'It never rains but it pours.'

   I never see a robin but I think of my father.

   For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so

   c. 1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”Here, but means unless, so nothing is good or bad without thinking making it so.

   Note
10. 10
    though (at end)adverbdialectalAustraliaGeordieScotland

    Used at the end of a sentence to mean 'though' or 'however'.

    Nice car. Bit pricey, but.

    I didn't like the film. Good music, but.

    Similarhowever, yet, still, though, nevertheless

    Note
11. 11
    nounrarecountable

    A limit or boundary, an old or rare use.

    Similarboundary, limit, border, edge

12. 12
    preposition

    In Scots, 'outside', as in 'go but the house'.

    Similaroutside

    Oppositeinside, ben

    Note
13. 13
    outer roomnoundialectalScotlandcountable

    In Scotland, the outer room of a small two-room cottage, the kitchen.

    The family cooked and ate in the but.

    Visitors waited in the but until they were called ben.

    Similarkitchen

    Oppositeben

    Note
14. 14
    verbarchaic

    To say 'but', in the old phrase 'but me no buts'.

    Note
15. 15
    conjunctionobsolete

    Used to mean 'until' or 'before'.

    'Tshall not be long but I'll be here again.

    c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”Here, but means before, so it will not be long before I return.

    Note
16. 16
    conjunctionobsolete

    An old use meaning 'that' after 'it is not impossible' or 'I don't doubt'.

    It is not improbable but future observations will add Pliny's Well to the class of irregular reciprocators.

    1813, Journal of Natural PhilosophyHere, but means that, so it is not unlikely that this will happen.

    It is not impossible but next year I may have the honour of waiting on your Lordship at St. Asaph, If I go to Ireland I certainly will go that way.

    1784, Joshua Reynolds, The Letters of Sir Joshua ReynoldsHere, but means that, so it is possible that this will happen.

    Note
17. 17
    repeat for forceadverb

    Used between a word and the same word again to make what you say stronger, as in "nobody, but nobody".

    Nobody, but nobody, makes pancakes like my grandpa.

    You must never, but never, touch the stove when it is hot.