Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [buht; unstressed buh t]
- /bʌt; unstressed bət/
- /bʌt/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [buht; unstressed buh t]
- /bʌt; unstressed bət/
Definitions of but word
- conjunction but You use but to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said, or to introduce something which adds to what you have just said. 3
- conjunction but You use but when you are about to add something further in a discussion or to change the subject. 3
- conjunction but You use but after you have made an excuse or apologized for what you are just about to say. 3
- conjunction but You use but to introduce a reply to someone when you want to indicate surprise, disbelief, refusal, or protest. 3
- preposition but But is used to mean 'except'. 3
- adverb but But is used to mean 'only'. 3
Information block about the term
Origin of but
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English buten, Old English būtan for phrase be ūtan on the outside, without. See by1, out
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for But
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
but popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
but usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for but
prep but
- although — You use although to introduce a subordinate clause which contains a statement which contrasts with the statement in the main clause.
- however — nevertheless; yet; on the other hand; in spite of that: We have not yet won; however, we shall keep trying.
- nevertheless — nonetheless; notwithstanding; however; in spite of that: a small but nevertheless important change.
- still — remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary: to stand still.
- though — for all that; however.
Top questions with but
- how to but on a condom?
- wait but why?
- every which way but loose?
- no one knows what it means but it's provocative?
- how to get a bigger but?
- what what in the but?
- what has hands but cannot clap?
- any which way but loose?
- what goes up but never comes down?
- what is always coming but never arrives?
- what asks but never answers?
- what has 4 eyes but can t see?
- what has one eye but can't see?
- what has keys but no locks?
- but why?