without

1 of 4

preposition

with·​out wi-ˈt͟hau̇t  -ˈthau̇t 

1

: outside

2

—used as a function word to indicate the absence or lack of something or someone

fight without fear

left without him

looks without seeing

without

2 of 4

adverb

1

: on the outside : externally

2

: with something lacking or absent

has learned to do without

without

3 of 4

conjunction

chiefly dialectal

: unless

you don't know about me without you have read a book

—Mark Twain

without

4 of 4

noun

: an outer place or area

came from without

Synonyms

Preposition

• absent
• minus
• sans
• wanting

Examples of without in a Sentence

Preposition

Do you take your coffee with or without sugar?

Don't leave home without your wallet.

Without water, there would be no life on Earth.

I can't imagine life without a car.

It happened suddenly and without warning.

The prisoner will be held without bail until his trial.

These cookies are made without flour.

Try doing the math without a calculator.

I can't see you without my glasses.

Adverb

Do you take your coffee with sugar or without?

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Boston's starting pitching rotation will be without Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford to begin the season as each pitcher is fighting an injury. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

Sophomore Austin Gerken had three RBIs without getting a hit. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Before the game, Butler embraced former Heat teammates Kevin Love and Terry Rozier without having much – OK, nothing – else for anyone else on Miami’s side. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

The dismissal also comes during a chaotic period for the Cardinal, which has been without an athletic director since Bernard Muir stepped down in late February. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English withoute, from Old English withūtan, from with + ūtan outside, from ūt out — more at out entry 1

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing without

• absent without leave
• be without substance
• can/could do without
• do without
• go without
• go without saying
• no gain without pain
• reckon without
• sink without a trace
• sink without trace
• there's no smoke without fire
• without (a) doubt
• without a hitch
• without a murmur
• without apology
• without a scratch
• without a trace
• without a whimper
• without batting an eyelash
• without compare
• without delay
• without detriment to
• without effort
• without equal
• without exception
• without fail
• without fear of contradiction
• without further ado
• without hesitation
• without incident
• without issue
• without let or hindrance
• without limit
• without notice
• without number
• without obligation
• without parallel
• without pause
• without preamble
• without prior notice
• without question
• without reason
• without regard for
• without regard to
• without reservation
• without reserve
• without resort to
• without someone's knowledge
• without (so much as) a by your leave
• without success
• without the aid of
• without (the) benefit of

Rhymes for without

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

without

1 of 3 preposition

with·​out wit͟h-ˈau̇t  with- 

1

a

: outside entry 4 sense 1

they stood without the castle gates

b

: out of the range or limits of

not without our capabilities

2

a

: not having : in the absence of

without food

b

: not accompanied by or showing

spoke without thinking

without

2 of 3 adverb

1

: on the outside

2

: with something lacking or absent

learn to do without

without

3 of 3 noun

: an outer place or area