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 bill passed France’s lower house of parliament last week with widespread approval from most members of the National Assembly, except for members of the far right. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 31 Oct. 2025

Davidson must replace its entire starting five, except for forward Sean Logan, who missed all but 11 games last season with a torn ACL. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025

Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025

Many stretches of the Madison River, for example, are catch-and-release only for rainbow trout (except for anglers under 14 years, who can keep one of any size). —Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for except for

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore

Kids Definition

except for

preposition

: with the exception of : but for

all A's except for a B in Latin