except for

preposition

1

: with the exception of

Everyone was gone except for me.

2

: were it not for

except for you I would be dead

Synonyms of except for

• except
• beside
• besides
• other than
• but

Examples of except for in a Sentence

except for newscasts, I hardly watch any television at all

Recent Examples on the Web

For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Everyone is excited for the vacation, except for Shannon and Carmella, who both have valid reasons. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Of the seven full drives in the first half, all ended in touchdowns except for an interception by Keller’s Cooper Glaze with 56 seconds left in the first quarter with the scored tied 7-7. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

As part of the 154-game slate, Mondays during the regular season would newly become an off-day for most teams — except for the potential of one to two national broadcasts. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for except for

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Kids Definition

except for

preposition

: with the exception of : but for

all A's except for a B in Latin