but

conjunction

strong /bʌt/ weak /bət/

Definition

A1 used to introduce an added statement, usually something that is different from what you have said before: She's very hard-working but not very imaginative. This is not caused by evil, but by simple ignorance. The play's good, but not that good - I've seen better. I'm sorry, but I think you're wrong when you say she did it deliberately. Call me old-fashioned, but I like handwritten letters. I can understand his unhappiness. But to attempt suicide! "She said she's leaving." "But why?" You can invite Keith to the party, but please don't ask that friend of his. We must not complain about the problem, but (= instead we must) help to put it right. She's not a painter but a writer (= she is a writer, not a painter). She's not only a painter but also a writer (= she is both). He said he hadn't been there, but then (= it is not surprising that) he would say that. I think it's true, but then (= it should be understood that), I'm no expert.Connecting words which express a contrast

(Definition of but conjunction from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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