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

The entire world seemed to celebrate the moment – everyone, that is, except for La Roja and its fans. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Now that base color has, to more or less degree, some silver colors overlaid, except for some that don’t have any additional color at all. — Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

This native grows in most Southern climates except for the tropics. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

Tips for Designing with Dahlias Dahlias, except for a few varieties, are large, nearly bush-sized plants with impressive blooms. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 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