- without */*/*/
- UK [wɪðˈaʊt] / US
adverb, preposition
Summary:
Without can be used in the following ways: - as a preposition (followed by a noun): I can't see without my glasses. (followed by the "-ing" form of a verb): She walked past without saying anything. - as an adverb (without a following noun): There isn't any butter left, so we'll have to manage without.1) not having something used for saying what someone or something does not havethe ability to do mathematics without a calculator
They had endured three days without food or water.
do/manage/go without (= continue your life or work in spite of not having something):a dress without sleeves
I can't afford new trainers, so I'll have to do without.
2) when someone is not with you used for saying that you do not have someone with youI can't live without you – I want to marry you.
If the others don't want to come, we'll go without them.
3) not doing something or not happeninga) used for saying what you do not do when you do something elsewithout doing something:Normally I would accept your offer without hesitation.
without so much as (= not even doing something that is normally expected):Liz closed the door without making a sound.
He walked off and left me without so much as a backward glance.
b) used for saying what does not happen or has not happened when something else happensThe operation proceeded without any major problems.
without someone doing something:an attack that came without any warning
Could these men have walked out of the prison without anyone noticing?
4) in a particular way used for saying that you do not have a particular feeling, or you do not show a particular quality when you do somethingWe began our search, but without much hope of finding anything.
Stephens was fined £200 for driving without due care and attention.
5) outside an old word meaning "outside"•without wishing/wanting to do something
— mainly spoken used when you are going to say something that someone may not likeWithout wishing to sound ungrateful, I should like to point out that you only did what you were paid to do.
English dictionary. 2014.