with ‧ out S1 W1 /wɪðˈaʊt $ wɪðˈaut, wɪθˈaʊt/ BrE AmE preposition , adverb
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: withutan ]
1 . not having something, especially something that is basic or necessary:
After the storm we were without electricity for five days.
a house without a garden
We passed two ruined abbeys, one with a tower and one without.
I’m getting used to managing without a car.
⇨ do without at ↑ do 2 , ⇨ go without at ↑ go 1
2 . used to say that a particular thing has not happened when someone does something:
Suddenly and without any warning, the army opened fire.
He had gone out without his parents’ permission.
I accepted his offer without a moment’s hesitation.
I got to my destination without too much difficulty.
without doing something
‘What do you expect?’ he said, without looking at her.
Without so much as a word of thanks, Ben turned and went back into the office (=he did not even say thank you as he should have done) .
3 . not feeling or showing that you feel a particular emotion:
He told his story without anger or bitterness.
4 . not being with someone, or not having them to help you, especially someone you like or need:
I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Won’t you be lonely without her?
The rest of the group set off without him.
5 . without wanting/wishing to do something used before a criticism, complaint, or other statement to make it less strong:
Without wanting to sound too boastful, I think we have the best television programmes in the world.
6 . old use outside
⇨ reckon without at ↑ reckon