sans

1 of 2

preposition

ˈsanz How to pronounce sans (audio)
Synonyms of sansnext
: without
my love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw— William Shakespeare

sans

2 of 2

noun

ˈsanz How to pronounce sans (audio)
plural sans
: sans serif

Synonyms

Preposition

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Examples of sans in a Sentence

Preposition She went to the party sans her husband. anyone sans shirt will not be allowed in the restaurant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Preposition
For the native Seattleite missing home or the traveler who couldn't get enough of Pike Place Market, this gift box contains a little bit of everything from around the market (sans flying fish). — Corina Quinn, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English saun, sans, from Anglo-French san, sanz, modification of Latin sine without — more at sunder

First Known Use

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sans was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing sans

Rhymes for sans

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Browse Nearby Words

sans
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Cite this Entry

“Sans.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sans. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

sans

preposition
(ˌ)sanz
: without entry 1 sense 2a
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