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Definition but in British English

but adverb, conjunction, preposition

adverb, conjunction, preposition
strong /bʌt/ weak /bət/

But can be used in the following ways:

As a conjunction (connecting two phrases or clauses): She’s 83 but she still goes swimming every day.

As a way of starting a new sentence and connecting it to the previous sentence: It was in Cairo that he met Nadia. But that’s another story.

As a preposition (followed by a noun): There’s been nothing but trouble since he came.

As an adverb: We can but hope that things will improve.

1

used for joining two ideas or statements when the second one is different from the first one, or seems surprising after the first one

Example

We're making good progress, but we've still got a long way to go.

Example

Anna's a highly intelligent girl, but she's rather lazy.

Example

a simple but effective way of filtering water

Example

What we are about to do is perfectly legal. But please don't discuss it with anyone.

1.1

used after a negative for introducing what is true instead

Example

His death was not a tragedy, but a release from pain and suffering.

2

used when you are saying that you should not talk any more about a subject that you have just mentioned

Example

It was a very complicated operation. But I don't want to bore you with all the details.

Example

There's also the question of how we're going to pay for this, but we can discuss that some other time.

3

used after expressions such as 'I'm sorry' and 'excuse me' to introduce a polite question, request, or statement

Example

Excuse me, but is there a post office around here?

Example

I'm sorry, but all our operators are busy at the moment.

4

used especially after words such as 'nothing', 'everyone', or 'anything' to mean 'except'

Example

She does nothing but grumble all day long.

Example

I refuse to discuss my medical history with anyone but Dr Grant.

Example

There's no alternative but to scrap the whole plan and start again.

Synonyms and related words
only except excluding
5

only

Example

We can but guess at the extent of the problem.

Example

Several Japanese companies already operate in the UK - Nissan, Honda, Fujitsu, to name but a few.

6

used when you are replying to someone and expressing surprise, disagreement, or annoyance

Example

'I've decided to resign.' 'But why?'

Example

But you promised not to do anything without asking me first.

7

used after negative statements for saying that something does not happen without something else happening or being true

Example

I never take a bath but the phone rings or someone knocks at the door.

Definition but in British English

Related Words

Words related to but:

all but (phrase) anything but (phrase) but unbowed (phrase) but (adverb, conjunction, preposition) but (noun) but for (phrase) but hey... (phrase) but then (phrase) cannot (help) but (phrase) close, but no cigar (phrase) (everything but) the kitchen sink (phrase) in all but name (phrase) it never rains but it pours (phrase) last but not least (phrase) but one (phrase) lose the battle but win the war (phrase) may...but (phrase) might...but (phrase) to last (phrase) no but that (phrase) none but (phrase) nothing but () slowly but surely (phrase) the lights are on but no one’s home (phrase) the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak) (phrase) there but for the grace of God (go I) (phrase) there’s nothing for it but (phrase) to but a few (phrase)