Definition of but:

part of speech: preposition

Except.

part of speech: interjection

Expressing surprise or dissent.

part of speech: conjunction

Something more to supply; unless.

part of speech: noun

A limit; a boundary.

part of speech: adverb

Only.

Usage examples:

• But she was not there. Alexander Irvine in "My Lady of the Chimney Corner".

• But you ain't going to join us, you say? Ralph Bonehill in "Leo the Circus Boy".

• But ranges from the faintest contrast to absolute negation; as, I am willing to go, but on the other hand) content to stay; he is not an honest man, but on the contrary) a villain. The contrast may be with a silent thought; as, but let us go ( it being understood that we might stay longer). In restrictive use, except and excepting are slightly more emphatic than but we say, no injury but a scratch; or, no injury except some painful bruises. Such expressions as " words are but breath" ( nothing but may be referred to the restrictive use by ellipsis. So may the use of but in the sense of unless; as, " it never rains but it pours." To the same head must be referred the conditional use; as, " you may go, but with your father's consent" ( i. e., " provided you have," " except that you must have," etc.). " Doubt but is now less used than the more logical " doubt that." But never becomes a full synonym for and; and adds something like, but adds something different; " brave and tender" implies that tenderness is natural to the brave; " brave but tender" implies that bravery and tenderness are rarely combined. For the concessive use, compare NOTWITHSTANDING. in "".

• But I must talk about it! Marie Belloc Lowndes in "Jane Oglander".