(formerly) either of two bronze coins of France, equal to 5 centimes and 10 centimes.
sol.
south.
southern.
a former French coin of low denomination
a very small amount of money
I haven't a sou to my name
1810–20; < French; Old French sol sol 2
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Eu não sou médica,” she told me in Portuguese, our shared language.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2021
But his estate was wiped out in the Great Depression, and as a result, I had what I consider the ideal upbringing: We were a proud family, good citizens, and we didn't have a sou.
From Inc ● Sep. 25, 2012
In short, France, which has spent millions for armaments but not a sou on its debt in the last two years, cannot expect to be let off easy.
From Time Magazine Archive
Off they went first-class�without a sou for the return trip.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Wouldn’t take a sou less, so help me.”
From "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London
Sonenshein worked as a host, Vahle as a sous chef.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026
But now the restaurant is "scrambling to do something to stay afloat" and figure out "what can be done without a gas connection", sous chef Dhruv Thapliyal told AFP.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
He was mostly a sous chef for Seattle kicker Jason Myers, who booted a record five field goals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
The centenarian enjoyed her birthday surrounded by friends and family at the home, with a special cake prepared by the sous chef, Kieran Lister.
From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2026
“Pate de foie gras, soupe a l’oignon, faisan sous cloche, salade endive, fromages et fruits et demi-tasse,” he said carefully, and clapped his hands again.
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
