- on the contrary; yet: My brother went, but I did not.
- except; save: She was so overcome with grief she could do nothing but weep.
- unless; if not; except that (followed by a clause, often with that expressed): Nothing would do but that I should come in.
- without the circumstance that: It never rains but it pours.
- otherwise than: There is no hope but by prayer.
- that (used especially after doubt, deny, etc., with a negative): I don't doubt but he will do it.
- who not; that not: No leaders worthy of the name ever existed but they were optimists.
- (used as an intensifier to introduce an exclamatory expression): But she's beautiful!
- than: It no sooner started raining but it stopped.
- only; just: There is but one God.
- reservations or objections: You'll do as you're told, no buts about it.
- except for; were it not for: But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.
- what (def. 25).
- the outer or front room of a house; the outer or front apartment in an apartment house.
- the kitchen of a two-room dwelling, especially of a cottage.
- a variant of butt5.
- a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words: butene.
- contrary to expectation
- in contrast; on the contrary
- other than
- without it happening or being the case that
- except that
- if not; unless
- used to introduce an exclamation
- except; save
- were it not for
- just; merely; only
- though; however
- almost; practically
- an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts)
- the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen
- in or into the outer part (of a house)
