without

1 of 4

preposition

1
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 bookMark Twain

without

4 of 4

noun

: an outer place or area
came from without

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
One thing the administration and Hamas agree on is the desire for a temporary, six-week truce to turn into a permanent ceasefire without a resumption in the fighting. Alex Marquardt, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 The solidity of their professional and personal lives notwithstanding, Lawrence regularly worked without Gormé, as an actor as well as a singer. Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 After the Inflation Reduction Act passed Congress without a single Republican vote, GOP lawmakers threw a conniption over the IRS appropriation. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 However, CPAs typically enjoy a broader scope of employment across different sectors, often reflected in higher average salaries than tax strategists without CPA certification. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 With Bianca Belair still stuck in a temporary rut, everybody not named Becky Lynch in this match was a talented wrestler without a purpose. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 In addition to missing Rozier, the Heat was also without Josh Richardson (right shoulder dislocation), Orlando Robinson (lower back spasms) and Dru Smith (season-ending right knee surgery) against the Pelicans. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024 In videos and social media posts, the accounts suggest — without evidence — that the agency’s new cloud-seeding program caused the two February storms. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'without.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of without was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near without

Cite this Entry

“Without.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/without. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

without

1 of 3 preposition
with·​out wit͟h-ˈau̇t How to pronounce without (audio) with- How to pronounce without (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on without

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