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

But any college offers that came during his previous season were gone, except for one, at Dordt University in Iowa. — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Edward’s long and bloody campaign was nearly over, except for this one castle, which inconveniently happened to perch along a strategically important road to Edinburgh. — ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

For most defendants charged with a crime — except for those accused of capital murder or violent crimes and threats of violence — bail will not be required, the memo explained. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

In Gary, Superintendent Yvonne Stokes said damage to schools was minimal except for a tree at the West Side Leadership Academy which fell and crashed through window injuring an employee. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 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