noun

sou

soo

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

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

Word forms

sous plural, Sous plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “sou” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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

ou you fou IOU Lou kou mou Zou Vou Hou thou chou

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.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include sou:

Words that end with U