{
    "term": "but",
    "partOfSpeech": "conjunction",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I got it wrong. It wasn't the red one but the blue one."
                },
                {
                    "text": "His mother won't be there, but his father might."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It isn't that he lied exactly, but he does tend to exaggerate."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "however; despite this",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I'd asked everybody but only two people came."
                },
                {
                    "text": "By the end of the day we were tired but happy."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "used when you are saying sorry about something",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I'm sorry but I can't stay any longer."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "used to introduce a statement that shows that you are surprised or annoyed, or that you disagree",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "But that's not possible!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Here's the money I owe you.’ ‘But that's not right—it was only £10.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "except",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I had no choice but to sign the contract."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "used before repeating a word in order to emphasize it",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Nothing, but nothing would make him change his mind."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "used to emphasize that something is always true",
            "labels": "(literary)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She never passed her old home but she thought of the happy years she had spent there *(= she always thought of them)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "if it were not for",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He would have played but for a knee injury."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "except for",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The square was empty but for a couple of cabs."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "however; on the other hand",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He might agree. But then again he might have a completely different opinion."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "used before a statement that explains or gives a reason for what has just been said",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She speaks very good Italian. But then she did live in Rome for a year *(= so it's not surprising)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to show that everything else is impossible except the thing that you are saying",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "What could he do but forgive her? *(= that was the only thing possible)*"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/bət//bʌt/",
                "audio": "bu/but/but__gb_6.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/bət//bʌt/",
                "audio": "bu/but/but__us_2_rr.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out)."
}