Synonyms:even so, nevertheless, notwithstanding, yet; see also Thesaurus:nevertheless
Conjunction
but
However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand(introducing a clause contrary to prior belief or in contrast with the preceding clause or sentence).
On the contrary, rather(as a regular adversative conjunction, introducing a word or clause in contrast or contradiction with the preceding negative clause or sentence).
(colloquial)Used at the beginning of a sentence to express opposition to a remark.
Except that (introducing a subordinate clause which qualifies a negative statement); also, with omission of the subject of the subordinate clause, acting as a negative relative, "except one that", "except such that".
(colloquial)Used to link an interjection to the following remark as an intensifier.
(archaic) Without it also being the case that; unless that (introducing a necessary concomitant).
(obsolete) Except with; unless with; without.
(obsolete) Only; solely; merely.
(obsolete) Until.
(obsolete, following a negated expression of improbability) That. [16th–19th c.]
Usage notes
It is generally considered colloquial to use but at the beginning of a sentence, with other conjunctions such as however or nevertheless being preferred in formal writing.
Synonyms
abbur(Chester)
(except):bar, unless, excepting, excluding, with the exception of, without
(however):yet, although, ac
Translations
Noun
but (pluralbuts)
An instance of using the word "but"; an objection or caveat.
(Scotland) The outer room of a small two-room cottage.
A limit; a boundary.
The end; especially the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end; the butt.
Derived terms
Verb
but (third-person singular simple presentbuts, present participlebutting, simple past and past participlebutted)
(archaic) Use the word "but".
Derived terms
References
“but”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
“but”, in The Century Dictionary[…], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams
BTU, TBU, tub
Danish
Etymology
From Middle Low Germanbutt.
Adjective
but
(rare) blunt
Inflection
Synonyms
stump
Antonyms
spids
French
Etymology 1
From Middle Frenchbut(“mark, goal”), from Old Frenchbut(“aim, goal, end, target”), from Old Frenchbutte(“mound, knoll, target”), from Frankish*but(“stump, log”), or from Old Norsebútr(“log, stump, butt”); both from Proto-Germanic*buttaz(“end, piece”), from Proto-Indo-European*bʰewd-(“to beat, push”).
Cognate with Old Englishbutt(“tree stump”); see butt. The semantic development from "mound" to "target" is likely from martial training practice. The final /t/ is from the old pausal and liaison pronunciation; its (partial) restoration as the basic form may have been reinforced by related butte.
“but”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé[Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Indonesian
Noun
but (first-person possessivebutku, second-person possessivebutmu, third-person possessivebutnya)
(computing) bootstrap (process by which the operating system of a computer is loaded into its memory)
References
“but” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016.
Maltese
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
shoe (protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of leather or synthetic material)
boot (heavy shoe that covers part of the leg)
Declension
Derived terms
Further reading
but in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
but in Polish dictionaries at PWN
Romani
Etymology
Inherited from Sauraseni Prakrit𑀩𑀳𑀼𑀢𑁆𑀢(bahutta), from Sanskritबहुत्व(bahutva, “much, many, very”). Cognate with Hindiबहुत(bahut).
Adjective
but (obliquebute)
much
many
Descendants
Kalo Finnish Romani: buut
Adverb
but
very
References
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from Ottoman Turkishبوت(but).
Noun
butn (pluralbuturi)
thigh of an animal
Declension
Scots
Noun
but (pluralbuts)
The outer room of a small two-room cottage.
Preposition
but
Outside of, without.
Serbo-Croatian
Etymology
Borrowed from Ottoman Turkishبوت(but).
Pronunciation
IPA(key): /bût/
Noun
bȕtm (Cyrillic spellingбу̏т)
thigh
ham
Declension
References
“but” in Hrvatski jezični portal
Turkish
Alternative forms
bud(dialectal)
Etymology
From Ottoman Turkishبود(bud), بوت(but), from Proto-Turkic*būt. Compare Old Turkic [script needed] (būt).