SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

but and ben

adverb
Save Word
\ ¦bətᵊn¦ben \

Definition of but and ben

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Scottish
1 : back and forth : in and out specifically : from one part of a house to the other
2 : on opposite sides or at opposite ends of (a house, a corridor) we lived but and ben with them

but-and-ben

noun
\ " \

Definition of but-and-ben (Entry 2 of 2)

Scottish
: a 2-roomed cottage

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for but and ben

Adverb

Scots but entry 3 (out) + ben (in)

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About but and ben

Dictionary Entries Near but and ben

but-and-ben

but and ben

butane

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for but and ben

Cite this Entry

“But and ben.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/but%20and%20ben. Accessed 16 Oct. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

gossamer

Listen to the pronunciation of gossamer

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet pasta spelling help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games