All but
adverb
Almost, nearly.
The game was all but over when they scored the third goal.
Often appears as...
- all but impossible
- all but forgotten
adverb
Everything except.
He ate all but one of the cookies.
Often appears as...
- he denied all but one of the charges
- she has visited all but three states
adverb
Almost, nearly.
The game was all but over when they scored the third goal.
Often appears as...
- all but impossible
- all but forgotten
adverb
Everything except.
He ate all but one of the cookies.
Often appears as...
- he denied all but one of the charges
- she has visited all but three states
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Setting
Indicates a situation is nearing certainty, often used to manage or set expectations.
The team is all but assured to win the championship this year.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair
Adds drama or emphasis in storytelling, common in novels or descriptive language.
The ancient castle was all but a ruin, with only one tower still standing tall.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Nuance
Can express resignation or a sense of inevitability about a negative outcome.
After months of disrepair, my old car is all but useless now.
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Setting
Indicates a situation is nearing certainty, often used to manage or set expectations.
The team is all but assured to win the championship this year.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair
Adds drama or emphasis in storytelling, common in novels or descriptive language.
The ancient castle was all but a ruin, with only one tower still standing tall.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Nuance
Can express resignation or a sense of inevitability about a negative outcome.
After months of disrepair, my old car is all but useless now.
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Setting
Indicates a situation is nearing certainty, often used to manage or set expectations.
The team is all but assured to win the championship this year.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair
Adds drama or emphasis in storytelling, common in novels or descriptive language.
The ancient castle was all but a ruin, with only one tower still standing tall.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Nuance
Can express resignation or a sense of inevitability about a negative outcome.
After months of disrepair, my old car is all but useless now.
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