Definition of "except" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

   • I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!

2. (intransitive) To take exception, to object (to or against).

   • to except to a witness or his testimony
   • Yea, but methinks I hear some man except at these words […].

preposition

1. Used to introduce an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

   • There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.

conjunction

1. Used to introduce a clause, phrase, verb infinitive, adverb or other non-noun complement forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

   • You look a bit like my sister, except (that) she has longer hair.
   • I never made fun of her except teasingly.
   • To survive, I did everything except steal.
   • Come any time except between ten and twelve.

2. (informal) Loosely, used to introduce a contrastive statement explaining why something wasn't successful, didn't happen, etc.

   • They fired tear gas at us, except the wind was blowing the wrong way.
   • I almost walked out, except I remembered the promise I had made.

3. (archaic) Unless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.