Skip to main content
to except

to except

9 4.1
To keep someone or something from being included
  • verb
  • /ɪkˈsɛpt/
: excluir
  • The treaty explicitly excepts basic trainers and permits each state to convert 550 mostly older model combat aircraft to unarmed trainers.

Music crossed over white people excepting black people music.

Examples

  • Everything looks completely fine, except that it is not fine.

  • Nothing would stop him except removal from office.

  • What they understand is you can take anything I have except what's in my mind.

  • So no one is here except for Christian downstairs sleeping.

  • And he was telling me that crime is down except for auto theft.

  • They may all want to stay together except you, right?

  • She had no place to go except right into his arms.

  • So I've done everything on my agenda except do homework.

  • It created national citizenship for all persons except Indians.

  • Everyone is invited to the party, except for those who did not RSVP.

Synonyms

to take out
vsto except
∞ 1.9

To remove something from a place or container

tends to mean physical removal rather than blocking inclusion
to leave out
vsto except
359 2.3

To not include someone or something

emphasizes active prevention rather than accidental omission
to exclude
vsto except
280 3.0

To keep someone or something out so they are not part of something

is used more generally to prevent inclusion rather than stress intent
to rule out
vsto except
183 3.5

Decide that an idea, cause or option should not be considered

is about stopping inclusion but without implying impossibility
to omit
vsto except
71 3.4

Leave out something, for example a name, on purpose or by accident

focuses more on deliberate prevention rather than accidental omission
to leave off
vsto except
37 4.4

Not include someone or something in a list

focuses on preventing inclusion rather than mere absence

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To make a person or thing part of something larger

How Exclusive

to ostracize
  • US
29 7.7
to ban
  • Formal
537 1.4
to bar
109 3.3
to except
9 4.1
to omit
71 3.4

Surface Forms

except infinitive
excepted past
excepted past participle
excepting present participle
excepts third person singular

Morphology

except = ex + cept

Although historically analyzable as ex- + -cept (from Latin), the root 'cept' is not a standalone English word and the combination is not transparently interpretable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Except comes from the Latin parts ex- 'out' and capere 'to take', so it originally meant 'to take out'. That's why as a verb to except something is to leave it out or exclude it, and the same root appears in capture.