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

Gizelle, who has been stirring the pot and playing producer for everyone on the trip, keeps up her conniving ways by sitting down all the RHOP ladies except for Candiace during their Potomac retrospective moment at the party. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Most of the Tier 1 quarterbacks — except for one — played at or above the level expected of the nation’s elite. — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Seven members of the team eventually accepted Australia’s offer of asylum, but all soon changed their minds except for Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Tarrant County inspects and scores all food-service establishments in the county except for those in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 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