Meaning & use

except

preposition·Everyday

Not including; other than a particular person, thing, or situation.

See it in a sentence

Everyone except Sam remembered to bring their homework to class that day.

The store is open every day except during major holidays.

A note on using this word

Except is commonly confused with accept; except means excluding, while accept means to agree to receive something.

Words with a similar meaning

excludingapart from

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

including

Another way to use it

2. verb

To exclude someone or something from a general statement or category.

The rule applies to all employees, present company excepted, of course.

Make it your own

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