But vs. Butt — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 18, 2024
"But" is a conjunction used to introduce a contrast or exception in a sentence, while "butt" refers to either the end or thicker part of something or the human posterior.
Difference Between But and Butt
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Key Differences
"But" is primarily used in language as a conjunction to indicate a contradiction or exception, connecting phrases or clauses that oppose each other. In contrast, "butt" can refer to the posterior of a human or the end portion of objects like cigarettes or rifles, demonstrating its versatile but unrelated meanings.
In sentence construction, "but" serves to pivot the direction of the thought, suggesting a shift from one idea to another contrasting one. Whereas "butt," when used as a noun, does not contribute to the grammatical structure of a sentence but instead specifies a subject or object.
"But" is an essential part of speech in English, helping to refine the clarity and complexity of expression by juxtaposing different ideas or facts. On the other hand, "butt" often appears in more casual or colloquial contexts, relating to everyday physical items or slang.
Linguistically, "but" appears in diverse sentence structures across formal and informal writing, critical for nuanced communication. Meanwhile, "butt" typically features in informal dialogue or specific contexts like discussions of anatomy or jokes.
In educational contexts, teaching "but" involves explaining its role in forming complex sentences and expressing conditional or contrasting thoughts. In contrast, "butt" may be discussed in lessons on slang, informal language, or anatomy, depending on the usage.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Conjunction
Noun
Usage in Sentence
Connects contrasting clauses or phrases
Refers to the human posterior or the end part of an object
Common Contexts
Academic writing, everyday communication
Casual conversation, anatomical reference
Linguistic Importance
Essential for expressing contrast
Limited to specific referential uses
Examples of Usage
"I would go, but I'm tired."
"He fell and landed on his butt."
Compare with Definitions
But
Conjunction used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
She is very fast, but he is even faster.
Butt
The thicker end, base, or larger part, or the rear part of something.
He tapped the butt of his cigarette in the ashtray.
But
Used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated.
Nothing but the best will do.
Butt
The butt end of a weapon, like a rifle.
He shouldered the butt of the rifle against his shoulder.
But
Functions to exclude something after a negative statement.
They could do nothing but wait.
Butt
Informally refers to a person's buttocks.
I slipped and fell right on my butt.
But
Sometimes used to introduce a response that softens or counters a previous statement.
I know it's expensive, but it's worth it.
Butt
Used in terms of contact or impact, often in a humorous or colloquial context.
He butted his head against the door.
But
Introduces a statement that adds surprising information or a contrast.
I would like to go, but I have to work.
Butt
Slang for an object of jokes or ridicule; the butt of a joke.
He always ended up being the butt of their jokes.
But
On the contrary
The plan caused not prosperity but ruin.
Butt
(of a person or animal) hit (someone or something) with the head or horns
She butted him in the chest
But
Contrary to expectation; yet
She organized her work but accomplished very little. He is tired but happy.
Butt
Adjoin or meet end to end
The shop butted up against the row of houses
But
Usage Problem Used to indicate an exception
No one but she saw the prowler.
Butt
A push or blow, especially one given with the head.
But
With the exception that; except that. Often used with that
Would have joined the band but he couldn't spare the time.
Would have resisted but that they lacked courage.
Butt
The person or thing at which criticism or ridicule is directed
His singing is the butt of dozens of jokes
But
(Informal) Without the result that
It never rains but it pours.
Butt
An archery or shooting target or range.
But
(Informal) That. Often used after a negative
There is no doubt but right will prevail.
Butt
The thicker end of something, especially a tool or a weapon
A rifle butt
But
That ... not. Used after a negative or question
There never is a tax law presented but someone will oppose it.
Butt
The stub of a cigar or a cigarette.
But
(Informal) Than
They had no sooner arrived but they turned around and left.
Butt
A person's buttocks or anus
I was being paid to sit on my butt and watch television
But
Usage Problem Except.
Butt
The trunk of a tree, especially the part just above the ground.
But
Merely; just; only
Hopes that lasted but a moment.
Butt
A cask, typically used for wine, beer, or water
A butt of malmsey
But
Used as an intensive
Get out of here but fast!.
Butt
A liquid measure equal to 126 US gallons (equivalent to 477.5 litres).
But
A concern or objection
My offer is final, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Butt
To hit or push against with the head or horns; ram.
But
Apart from, except (for), excluding.
Everyone but Father left early.
I like everything but that.
Nobody answered the door when I knocked, so I had no choice but to leave.
Butt
To hit or push something with the head or horns.
But
Outside of.
Away but the hoose and tell me whae's there.
Butt
To project forward or out.
But
Merely, only, just, no more than
Christmas comes but once a year.
Butt
To join or be joined end to end; abut.
But
Though, however.
I'll have to go home early but.
Butt
A push or blow with the head or horns.
But
, although, nevertheless, on the other hand introducing a clause contrary to prior belief or in contrast with the preceding clause or sentence.
She is very old but still attractive.
You told me I could do that, but she said that I could not.
Butt
A butt joint.
But
, rather adversative conjunction, introducing a word or clause in contrast or contradiction with the preceding negative clause or sentence}}.
I am not rich but [I am] poor.
Not John but Peter went there.
Butt
A butt hinge.
But
(colloquial) Used at the beginning of a sentence to express opposition to a remark.
But I never said you could do that!
Butt
One that serves as an object of ridicule or contempt
I was the butt of their jokes.
But
Except that (introducing a subordinate clause which qualifies a negative statement); also, with omission of the subject of the subordinate clause, acting as a negative relative, "except one that", "except such that".
I cannot but feel offended.
Butt
A target, as in archery or riflery.
But
(colloquial) Used to link an interjection to the following remark as an intensifier.
Wow! But that's amazing!
Butt
Butts A target range.
But
(archaic) Without it also being the case that; unless that (introducing a necessary concomitant).
It never rains but it pours.
Butt
An obstacle behind a target for stopping the shot.
But
(obsolete) Except with; unless with; without.
Butt
An embankment or hollow used as a blind by hunters of wildfowl.
But
(obsolete) Only; solely; merely.
Butt
(Archaic) A goal.
But
(obsolete) Until.
Butt
(Obsolete) A bound; a limit.
But
That.
Butt
The larger or thicker end of an object
The butt of a rifle.
But
An instance or example of using the word "but".
It has to be done – no ifs or buts.
Butt
An unburned end, as of a cigarette.
But
(Scotland) The outer room of a small two-room cottage.
Butt
(Informal) A cigarette.
But
A limit; a boundary.
Butt
A short or broken remnant; a stub.
But
The end; especially the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end; the butt.
Butt
(Informal) The buttocks; the rear end.
But
(archaic) Use the word "but".
But me no buts.
Butt
A large cask.
But
Except with; unless with; without.
So insolent that he could not go but either spurning equals or trampling on his inferiors.
Touch not the cat but a glove.
Butt
A unit of volume equal to two hogsheads, usually the equivalent of 126 US gallons (about 477 liters).
But
Except; besides; save.
Who can it be, ye gods! but perjured Lycon?
Butt
(Slang) Very. Used as an intensive
Butt ugly.
Butt expensive.
But
Excepting or excluding the fact that; save that; were it not that; unless; - elliptical, for but that.
And but my noble Moor is true of mind . . . it were enough to put him to ill thinking.
Butt
(countable) The larger or thicker end of something; the blunt end, in distinction from the sharp or narrow end
But
Otherwise than that; that not; - commonly, after a negative, with that.
It cannot be but nature hath some director, of infinite power, to guide her in all her ways.
There is no question but the king of Spain will reform most of the abuses.
Butt
The buttocks used as a minced oath in idiomatic expressions; less objectionable than arse/ass.
Get up off your butt and get to work.
But
Only; solely; merely.
Observe but how their own principles combat one another.
If they kill us, we shall but die.
A formidable man but to his friends.
Butt
(leather trades) The thickest and stoutest part of tanned oxhides, used for soles of boots, harness, trunks.
But
On the contrary; on the other hand; only; yet; still; however; nevertheless; more; further; - as connective of sentences or clauses of a sentence, in a sense more or less exceptive or adversative; as, the House of Representatives passed the bill, but the Senate dissented; our wants are many, but quite of another kind.
Now abideth faith hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; . . . the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him.
But this I read, that but if remedyThou her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see.
Butt
(countable) The waste end of anything.
But
The outer apartment or kitchen of a two-roomed house; - opposed to ben, the inner room.
Butt
(slang) A used cigarette.
But
A limit; a boundary.
Butt
A piece of land left unplowed at the end of a field.
But
The end; esp. the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end. Now disused in this sense, being replaced by butt{2}. See 1st Butt.
Butt
Hassock.
But
And nothing more;
I was merely asking
It is simply a matter of time
Just a scratch
He was only a child
Hopes that last but a moment
Butt
(US) A crust end-piece of a loaf of bread.
Butt
An end of something, often distinguished in some way from the other end.
Butt
The end of a firearm opposite to that from which a bullet is fired.
She was hit in the face with the butt of a shotgun.
Butt
(lacrosse) The plastic or rubber cap used to cover the open end of a lacrosse stick's shaft in order to reduce injury.
Butt
The portion of a half-coupling fastened to the end of a hose.
Butt
The end of a connecting rod or other like piece, to which the boxing is attached by the strap, cotter, and gib.
Butt
(mechanical) A joint where the ends of two objects come squarely together without scarfing or chamfering.
Butt
(carpentry) A kind of hinge used in hanging doors, etc., so named because it is attached to the inside edge of the door and butts against the casing, instead of on its face, like the strap hinge; also called butt hinge.
Butt
(shipbuilding) The joint where two planks in a strake meet.
Butt
The blunt back part of an axehead or large blade. Also called the poll.
Butt
(countable) A limit; a bound; a goal; the extreme bound; the end.
Butt
A mark to be shot at; a target.
Butt
Usually as "butt of (a) joke" A person at whom ridicule, jest, or contempt is directed.
He's usually the butt of their jokes.
Butt
The hut or shelter of the person who attends to the targets in rifle practice.
Butt
A push, thrust, or sudden blow, given by the head; a head butt.
Be careful in the pen, that ram can knock you down with a butt.
The handcuffed suspect gave the officer a desperate butt in the chest.
Butt
A thrust in fencing.
Butt
(English units) An English measure of capacity for liquids, containing 126 wine gallons which is one-half tun; equivalent to the pipe.
Butt
A wooden cask for storing wine, usually containing 126 gallons.
Butt
(Northern England) Any of various flatfish such as sole, plaice or turbot
Butt
A heavy two-wheeled cart.
Butt
A three-wheeled cart resembling a wheelbarrow.
Butt
The shoulder of an animal, especially the portion above the picnic, as a cut of meat.
Butt
To join at the butt, end, or outward extremity; to terminate; to be bounded; to abut.
Butt
(transitive) To strike bluntly, particularly with the head.
Butt
(intransitive) To strike bluntly with the head.
Rams butt at other males during mating season.
Butt
A limit; a bound; a goal; the extreme bound; the end.
Here is my journey's end, here my buttAnd very sea mark of my utmost sail.
Butt
A mark to be shot at; a target.
The groom his fellow groom at butts defies,And bends his bow, and levels with his eyes.
Butt
A person at whom ridicule, jest, or contempt is directed; as, the butt of the company.
I played a sentence or two at my butt, which I thought very smart.
Butt
A push, thrust, or sudden blow, given by the head of an animal; as, the butt of a ram.
Butt
A thrust in fencing.
To prove who gave the fairer butt,John shows the chalk on Robert's coat.
Butt
A piece of land left unplowed at the end of a field.
The hay was growing upon headlands and butts in cornfields.
Butt
A joint where the ends of two objects come squarely together without scarfing or chamfering; - also called butt joint.
Butt
The joint where two planks in a strake meet.
Butt
A kind of hinge used in hanging doors, etc.; - so named because fastened on the edge of the door, which butts against the casing, instead of on its face, like the strap hinge; also called butt hinge.
Butt
The thickest and stoutest part of tanned oxhides, used for soles of boots, harness, trunks.
Butt
The hut or shelter of the person who attends to the targets in rifle practice.
Butt
The buttocks; as, get up off your butt and get to work; - used as a euphemism, less objectionable than ass.
Amen; and make me die a good old man!That's the butt end of a mother's blessing.
Butt
A large cask or vessel for wine or beer. It contains two hogsheads.
Butt
The common English flounder.
Butt
To join at the butt, end, or outward extremity; to terminate; to be bounded; to abut.
And Barnsdale there doth butt on Don's well-watered ground.
Butt
To strike by thrusting the head against; to strike with the head.
Two harmless lambs are butting one the other.
Butt
Thick end of the handle
Butt
A victim of ridicule or pranks
Butt
The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
He deserves a good kick in the butt
Are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
Butt
Sports equipment consisting of an object set up for a marksman or archer to aim at
Butt
Finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
Butt
A joint made by fastening ends together without overlapping
Butt
A large cask (especially one holding a volume equivalent to 2 hogsheads or 126 gallons)
Butt
The small unused part of something (especially the end of a cigarette that is left after smoking)
Butt
Lie adjacent to another or share a boundary;
Canada adjoins the U.S.
England marches with Scotland
Butt
To strike, thrust or shove against, often with head or horns;
He butted his sister out of the way
Butt
Place end to end without overlapping;
The frames must be butted at the joints
Common Curiosities
How does "but" enhance communication?
It allows speakers and writers to present contrasting ideas clearly, enhancing the depth of discussion.
What are common mistakes in using "but"?
Overusing "but" can disrupt the flow and clarity of writing, sometimes leading to confusion.
Is "butt" always used in a vulgar context?
No, "butt" can refer to the end of objects or be used in anatomical terms without vulgar implications.
Can "but" be replaced with synonyms in sentences?
Yes, words like "however," "yet," and "though" can sometimes replace "but" to vary language use.
What is the grammatical role of "but" in a sentence?
"But" serves as a conjunction to contrast clauses or phrases within a sentence.
Can "butt" be used in formal writing?
While "butt" referring to the human posterior is generally informal, its other meanings can appear in formal contexts like technical descriptions.
How is "butt" perceived in different cultures?
The use of "butt" as slang for the posterior can be considered humorous, offensive, or casual, depending on cultural norms.
Why might someone use "butt" in conversation?
To refer to their posterior in a casual manner or to describe the end part of an object humorously or colloquially.
How do "but" and "butt" differ in everyday use?
"But" is common in both spoken and written English across all formalities, while "butt" is mostly used in informal contexts.
What is the impact of using "but" on the tone of a conversation?
It can introduce a shift or contradiction that might change the direction or tone of the discussion.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
