without

without — preposition

1. used to say that a person does not have something, is not using something, or th

1.prepositionA1
Definition

used to say that a person does not have something, is not using something, or that something is not present or available.

Example

Gabriel went to the train station without his wallet and could not buy a ticket.

without + possessive noun

Iris made a fresh salad without adding any salt or dressing.

without + -ing form

Common collocations
  • without + a doubt
  • without fail
  • without question
  • without exception
  • without warning
  • without notice
  • go without
  • do without
Synonyms
  • lacking

    more formal; used for qualities or features rather than physical objects ('lacking confidence')

  • in the absence of

    formal; used in official or academic contexts ('in the absence of evidence')

  • minus

    informal; often used for numbers, costs, or tangible items ('The total, minus tax, is £40')

Antonyms
  • with

    the direct opposite; indicates presence or accompaniment

Grammar Patterns

without + noun

without + -ing form

without + pronoun

Usage Note

This is by far the most common use of 'without'. It can be followed by a noun (without help), a pronoun (without it), or the -ing form of a verb (without waiting). The -ing form is the only verb form allowed directly after 'without' — never a base verb or past tense.

Common Mistakes

She left without say goodbye.
She left without saying goodbye.
'without' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not a base verb.
He went outside without his coat on him.
He went outside without his coat.
Adding 'on him' is redundant; 'without' already shows he does not have it.
Idioms

without a doubt

idiom

used to emphasise that you are completely certain about something.

Ava is without a doubt the most talented singer the school has ever had.

This was without a doubt the hottest summer in fifty years.

without fail

idiom

every time without exception; used to say that something always happens or is always done.

Andrei calls his mother every Sunday without fail, no matter where he is.

The morning train arrives at 7:32 without fail.

not for nothing / not without reason

idiom

used to say that there is a good reason for something that might seem surprising.

Not without reason did the neighbours complain about the loud music every night.

without — adverb

without — conjunction

without — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: preposition/1

All five words express the idea that something is not present, but they differ in register and what they typically pair with. 'Without' is the neutral, everyday choice for physical objects (without a ticket), actions (without asking), and abstract qualities (without fear). 'Lacking' is slightly more formal and is used mostly for qualities, skills, or features rather than concrete objects — you would say 'lacking confidence' but rarely 'lacking a car'. 'In the absence of' is formal and typical of legal, academic, or official language ('in the absence of proof'), and it sounds unnatural in casual speech. 'Minus' is informal and used mainly for countable items, especially in financial or numerical contexts ('The total, minus tax, is £80'). 'Devoid of' is the most formal and literary, reserved for strong statements about the complete absence of a quality ('devoid of emotion'). In everyday conversation, 'without' is almost always the right choice.

without ↗lackingin the absence ofminus ↗devoid of

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • completely without
  • entirely without
  • almost without
  • totally without
  • quite without

Phrases

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'without' comes from Old English 'wiþūtan', a combination of 'wiþ' (against, opposite) and 'ūtan' (from outside). Its original meaning was spatial: 'on the outside of'. Over time, the meaning shifted from physical location ('outside') to the absence or lack of something, which is now the dominant sense. The opposite word, 'within', developed in parallel from 'wiþinnan'.