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

Members of Congress have complained that only about half of existing documents, many with redactions, have been made public even as Justice Department officials have said everything has been released, except for some files that can’t be made public until a judge gives the go-ahead. —Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Mirror images except for the fact that Jelani has his hair in dreads, while Ari goes with the more retro-look afro. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026

Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Feb. 2026

By Monday evening, snow should begin to taper off almost completely for the Northeast except for New England which could still see intermittent precipitation. —Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for except for

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

Kids Definition

except for

preposition

: with the exception of : but for

all A's except for a B in Latin