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• sans
  sans

  preposition

  without.
• Sans.
  Sans.

  abbreviation

  Sanskrit.

sans

¹ American  

[sanz, sahn] / sænz, sɑ̃ /

preposition

1. without.

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Sans. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Sanskrit.

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Sans. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Sanskrit

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sans ² British  

/ sænz /

preposition

1. an archaic word for without

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Etymology

Origin of sans

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Old French sans, earlier sens, seinz, a conflation of Latin sine “without” and absentiā “in the absence of” (ablative of absentia absence )

Explanation

If you have a friend who hates onions, chances are they order their food at restaurants sans onions — meaning without them. The word sans comes from the French word that means "without." People often use sans in a playful manner or when they want to sound fancy. For example, someone might say, "I'll take my coffee sans cream," to mean they don't want cream. It just sounds a bit more sophisticated.

Example Sentences

Canada has form in Eurovision: appearing for Switzerland, Canadian then-starlet Celine Dion triumphed in 1988 singing "Ne partez pas sans moi", launching her career internationally.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

Over the weekend, he canceled plans for his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, a real-estate buddy who lacks any professional diplomatic experience, to resume the discussions sans Vance.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

Officers then tracked the owner down at Gate D1 where she was waiting to board her flight, sans pooch.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

All the menu items, sans tax, total to $30.12.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

He looked like a very young Teddy Roosevelt, sans moustache, about to lead the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill or go out and track a wildebeest or something.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• bare
• barren
• lacking
• vacant