The meaning of EXCEPT is with the exclusion or exception of. How to use except in a sentence.

We often use except and except for as prepositions to mean ‘not including’ or ‘excluding’. They are followed by a noun or noun phrase or a wh-clause. Both except and except for are correct after a …

Except is a preposition or conjunction. You use it to show that a statement does not include a particular thing or person.

You use except to introduce the only thing or person that a statement does not apply to, or a fact that prevents a statement from being completely true. I wouldn't have accepted anything except a job in …

Except is most commonly used as a preposition meaning excluding or but, as in Everyone was invited except me, or as a conjunction meaning but for the fact that, as in I would have called, except I lost …

3 days ago · Synonyms for EXCEPT: but, besides, beside, excluding, except for, other than, outside, saving; Antonyms of EXCEPT: accept, approve, agree, follow, comply, observe, obey, conform

You use except to introduce the only thing or person that a statement does not apply to, or a fact that prevents a statement from being completely true. I wouldn't have accepted anything except a job in …

Jan 1, 2021 · What does except mean? Except has a verb sense of “to exclude; leave out,” as in the phrase present company excepted. But, it can also be used as a preposition, as in They were all …

Apr 16, 2026 · except (third-person singular simple present excepts, present participle excepting, simple past and past participle excepted) (transitive) To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

Jan 13, 2026 · As a conjunction, "except" introduces a contrasting statement or an exception to a previously mentioned idea. This meaning is often found in formal writing and everyday speech.