sans
Sans (prep) means Without, especially something expected or usually present. Example: “He showed up sans invitation and nobody stopped him.”
How to use sans
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly formal or playful way of saying "without".
Mostly used in a knowing, faintly formal or humorous way rather than everyday speech.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.