adv. 1
Merely, only, just, no more than.
Christmas comes but once a year, so we can but wait till then.
adv. 2
Though, however.
I'll have to go home early but.
prep. 1
Apart from, except (for), excluding.
I like everything but that.
conj. 1
Except that (introducing a subordinate clause which qualifies a negative statement); also, (archaic) with omission of the subject of the subordinate clause, acting as a negative relative, "except one that", "except such that".
I cannot but feel offended.

Related words

Phrases: all-but oldie but goodie nothing but last but one but good all but thesis oldie but goldie

Choose the right word

or But?

But ranges from the faintest contrast to absolute negation; as, I am willing to go, but (on the other hand) content to stay; he is not an honest man, but (on the contrary) a villain. The contrast may be with a silent thought; as, but let us go (it being understood that we might stay longer).

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

yet It is said that nobody has solved the problem yet.
though I parted with my old car, though I hated to do so.
just I'm just going to rest during the summer vacation.
merely Love is merely a lyrical way of referring to lust.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
but		steady
yet		steady
though		rising
just		rising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: yet¹, bar¹, yit
4 letters: just¹, when¹, only², save¹
5 letters: still¹, abbur
6 letters: though¹, simply², except², unless², saving², barely², merely², beside²
7 letters: without², besides², barring², howbeit
8 letters: although²
9 letters: excluding³, excepting³

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (only² = 2 syllables).