but for

preposition
UK: /bʌt fɔː/
US: /bʌt fɔːr/

  1. Without; if not for. Used to indicate that one thing is the only reason that another thing is or is not true.

    1. But for your help, I would have failed the test. [ ] [ ]
    2. The play would have been a disaster, but for a few excellent performances. [ ] [ ]

  2. Except for; were it not for.

    1. But for the rain, we would have gone to the beach. [ ] [ ]
    2. But for his quick thinking, the accident could have been much worse. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

except for without
but for conjunction

  1. Used to express that something would not have happened if it were not for someone or something.

    1. But for you, I'd be lost. Thanks! [ ] [ ]
    2. But for the witness statements, the case would've been unsolved. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "but for" in English means: Without; if not for. Used to indicate that one thing is the only reason that another thing is or is not true., Except for; were it not for..

The phonetic transcription of "but for" is /bʌt fɔː/ in British English and /bʌt fɔːr/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "but for": except for, without.

Example usage of "but for": "But for your help, I would have failed the test.". More examples on the page.