but what

phrase

: that … not

—used to indicate possibility or uncertainty

I don't know but what I will go.

Examples of but what in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our great commissioner has top security protecting her at all times, but what are the rest of us to do? — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

This approach has advantages for coherence and quality because every frame is generated within the context not just of what past frames were but what future ones should be. — ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

The cocktail program leans heavily into agave and sugarcane spirits, but what really works is the atmosphere. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

What surprises me, actually, is – not surprises me, but what gratifies me is that Iranian attacks have been – not been larger or more capable. — CBS News, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for but what

• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut
• hindgut
• midgut
• precut
• rebut