but1

conjunction

• 1used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned:he stumbled but didn’t fall this is one principle, but it is not the only one the food is cheap but delicious the problem is not that they are cutting down trees, but that they are doing it in a predatory way

• 2 [with negative or in questions] used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated:one cannot but sympathize there was nothing they could do but swallow their pride they had no alternative but to follow

• 3used to introduce a response expressing a feeling such as surprise or anger:but that’s an incredible saving! but why?

• 4used after an expression of apology for what one is about to say:I’m sorry, but I can’t pay you

• 5 [with negative] archaic without it being the case that:it never rains but it pours

preposition

• except; apart from; other than:we were never anything but poor supply currently exceeds demand in all but the most rural areas the last but one
• used with repetition of certain words to give emphasis:nobody, but nobody, was going to stop her

adverb

• 1no more than; only:he is but a shadow of his former self choose from a colourful array of mango, starfruit, and raspberries, to name but a few

• 2Australian/NZ & Scottish informal (used at the end of a sentence) though; however:he was a nice bloke but

noun

• an argument against something; an objection:no buts—just get out of here as with all these proposals, ifs and buts abound