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 of without

Preposition

• 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

Elizabeth Gonzalez, a community organizer at the southwest nonprofit, Congress of Communities, helps guide caregivers through the licensing process and has seen informal providers blocked from getting licensed without a Social Security number. —Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 15 Nov. 2025

The Volunteers, after seven drives without a point, turned the tide on a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jayden Bibbs. —Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025

And the sit down begins without a hitch. —Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025

The voice of Julio Haro from La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho blends perfectly with that of Juanes, who, without abandoning his style, adds the intensity that characterizes a regional Mexican performance. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 14 Nov. 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

1899, 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 my knowledge
• 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 (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