prep
Uncommon
sans
sanz
Sans (prep) means Without, especially something expected or usually present. Example: “He showed up sans invitation and nobody stopped him.”
prep
1
Without, especially something expected or usually present.
"But regardless of when Wally had parked himself out in that backyard—sans coat or jacket—somehow, the old lady must have known where Wally would be before he drove out to the Isaacs trailer—or else she followed him out there from his house."
— A. R. Morlan, The Amulet (1991)
"Those with brooms started to sweep literally, at the feet of the crowd, driving it back into the side streets from which it had emerged to form this assembly – now riders sans steeds."
— Lawrence Durrell, Constance (Avignon Qutet) (1982)
"He showed up sans invitation and nobody stopped him."
"She gave the speech sans notes."
"Sans umbrella, we got soaked on the walk home."
How to use sans
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly formal or playful way of saying "without".
When to use it
Mostly used in a knowing, faintly formal or humorous way rather than everyday speech.
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He showed up _____ invitation and nobody stopped him.
Etymology
From Old French sans, "without", ultimately from Latin sine.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sans
See all rhymes for sans →Frequently asked questions
What does “sans” mean?
The word “sans” means without, especially something expected or usually present. In plain terms, a slightly formal or playful way of saying "without".
How do you pronounce “sans”?
“Sans” is pronounced sanz (/sænz/ in IPA).
How do you use “sans” in a sentence?
Here is “sans” used in a sentence: “He showed up sans invitation and nobody stopped him.”
What part of speech is “sans”?
“Sans” is a preposition.
Where does the word “sans” come from?
The word “sans” comes from Latin. From Old French sans, "without", ultimately from Latin sine.
Is “sans” a common word?
“Sans” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between sans and without?
"Sans" and "without" mean the same thing, but "sans" has a more formal, literary, or sometimes playful tone borrowed from French, while "without" is the everyday, neutral choice. "Sans" is often used for stylistic effect rather than in plain conversation.
Is sans a formal or informal word?
"Sans" leans formal or literary in most uses, though it is sometimes used informally in a knowingly old-fashioned or humorous way, such as "coffee sans sugar." It is far less common in everyday speech than "without."
What part of speech follows sans in a sentence?
"Sans" is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun or noun phrase, just like "without." For example, in "a burger sans cheese," the noun "cheese" follows "sans" to show what is missing.
