but
/ˈbʌt/
adverb
Core
1.adv.and nothing more
“I was merely asking”
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but and merely share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. but means “and nothing more”. merely means “and nothing more”. but is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈbʌt/
1.adv.and nothing more
“I was merely asking”
/ˈmɪɹli/
1.adv.and nothing more
“I was merely asking”
| but | merely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbʌt/ | /ˈmɪɹli/ |
| Said | buht | MIR-lee |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Letters | 3 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Senses | 1 | 1 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | merely, simply, just | simply, just, only |
Full entry for but · Full entry for merely · More comparisons