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noun

sou

soo
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Sou (noun) means an old French coin of very small value; by extension, a trivial amount of money. Example: “He didn't have a sou to his name after the trip.”

noun
1
An old French coin of very small value; by extension, a trivial amount of money.
"He didn't have a sou to his name after the trip."

How to use sou

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMostly survives today in the phrase "without a sou," meaning completely broke.

Common pairings
without a sou not a sou
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Word forms

Plural
sous
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He didn't have a _____ to his name after the trip.

Etymology

Borrowed from French sou, a coin worth one-twentieth of a livre.

Origin: French

Rhymes for sou

See all rhymes for sou →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sou” mean?
The word “sou” means an old French coin of very small value; by extension, a trivial amount of money. In plain terms, mostly survives today in the phrase "without a sou," meaning completely broke.
How do you pronounce “sou”?
“Sou” is pronounced soo (/suː/ in IPA).
How do you use “sou” in a sentence?
Here is “sou” used in a sentence: “He didn't have a sou to his name after the trip.”
What part of speech is “sou”?
“Sou” is a noun.
Where does the word “sou” come from?
The word “sou” comes from French. Borrowed from French sou, a coin worth one-twentieth of a livre.

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