Except — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

preposition verb conjunction /ik-ˈsept/ ex·cept

Meaning & Definition of Except

Except (preposition)

  1. with the exclusion or exception of

Except (verb)

  1. to take or leave out from a number or a whole, exclude
  2. to take exception, object

Except (conjunction)

  1. on any other condition than that, unless
  2. with this exception, namely
  3. only —often followed by that

Except (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not including

    "the store is open daily except Sundays"

    similar: apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but, except for, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside, outside of, save, saving

Except (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to present an opposing opinion or argument

    "I must except to your remark that there are no great novelists currently living"

    similar: demur, expostulate, kick, object, protest, remonstrate (with), take exception, take issue
    related: cavil, quibble, challenge, dare, defy, fight, conflict, debate, dispute, hassle, quarrel, squabble, wrangle, beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, keen, maunder (chiefly British), moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, balk, gag, stick, censure, criticize, denounce, disobey, rebel, withstand, demonstrate
    near: approve, sanction, accept, accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, adhere, comply, conform, follow, mind, obey, observe, advocate, champion, defend, maintain, support, sustain, uphold, applaud, cheer, commend

  2. to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of

    "we'll have to except members who haven't paid their club dues from voting in the election"

    similar: ban, bar, close out, count (out), debar, eliminate, exclude, freeze out, rule out, shut out, close one's doors to
    related: blackball, blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize, banish, deport, exile, expel, oust, throw out, obviate, preclude, prevent, prohibit, block, hinder, impede, obstruct, cease, discontinue, halt, suspend, deter, stave off, ward (off), check off, disregard, comb (out), weed (out)
    opposite: admit, include
    near: accept, embrace, entertain, receive, take in, welcome, unban

Except (conjunction) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. if it were not for the fact that

    "I'd go, except it's too far"

    similar: but, only, saving, yet

Related Entry: Except for (preposition)

Except for is a different word from Except. The synonyms below are for except for, not for except.

  1. not including

    "except for newscasts, I hardly watch any television at all"

    similar: apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but, except, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside, outside of, save, saving

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Except

The most common words with a similar meaning to Except:

apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but, except for, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside, outside of, save, saving, demur, expostulate, kick, object, protest, remonstrate (with), ban, close out, count (out), debar, eliminate, exclude, freeze out, rule out, shut out, take exception, take issue, close one's doors to, only, yet

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Except

Words with the opposite meaning of Except:

admit, include

Related Words for Except

cavil, quibble, challenge, dare, defy, fight, conflict, debate, dispute, hassle, quarrel, squabble, wrangle, beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump

Near Antonyms of Except

approve, sanction, accept, accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, adhere, comply, conform, follow, mind, obey, observe, advocate, champion, defend, maintain, support, sustain, uphold, applaud, cheer, commend, embrace, entertain, receive, take in, welcome, unban

Word Forms of Except

Inflections: excepted, excepting, excepts

Derived words: exceptive (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Except

Middle English, from Anglo-French excepter, from Latin exceptare, frequentative of excipere to take out, except, from ex- + capere to take heave:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Except

Words & Phrases Containing Except

except for

Frequently Asked Questions about Except

What does "Except" mean?

"Except" means with the exclusion or exception of. As an a preposition, a verb and a conjunction, it is defined as: with the exclusion or exception of. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Except"?

Other words for "Except" include apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but and except for. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Except" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Except"?

There are 122 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Except". Common alternatives include apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but, except for, excluding and exclusive of.

What is the opposite of "Except"?

Antonyms of "Except" include admit and include. Near antonyms include approve, sanction, accept and accede.

How do you use "Except" in a sentence?

Examples of "Except" in a sentence: "the store is open daily except Sundays"; "I must except to your remark that there are no great novelists currently living"; "we'll have to except members who haven't paid their club dues from voting in the election".

Is "Except" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Except" can be used as a preposition, a verb and a conjunction, depending on the context.

Is "Except" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Except" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Except"?

"Except" is pronounced /ik-ˈsept/ and divided into syllables as ex·cept.