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

Roller coasters are designed to deliver thrills through sudden drops, sharp turns and rapid changes in speed, but what kinds of injuries can these forces cause? — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Television was ostensibly a venue where Friday could finally live again, but what we’ve been left with is a baffling mess that doesn’t seem to understand what fans love about these characters. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

And even that has to be in the sense of not what each side has to do, but what each side should not do. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Protecting identities, networks, software and data remains essential, but what happens if AI makes the wrong decision, is manipulated, exceeds its authority or creates a hazardous physical intervention? — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 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