but what

phrase

: that … not
—used to indicate possibility or uncertainty
I don't know but what I will go.

Examples of but what in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For textile recyclers, the question is increasingly not simply whether cotton can be recovered, but what quality of raw material emerges on the other side. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 There are economic repercussions; sure, robots could build houses, but what happens to all the skilled carpenters? — Jeff Haden, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The situation offers options for a potential deal, but what would that trade look like? — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Sorry, but what took decades to create can’t be fixed in days, months, or years. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for but what

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of but what was in 1545

Rhymes for but what

See All Rhymes for but what

Browse Nearby Words

butut
but what
butyl
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“But what.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/but%20what. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All