# sous

/ˈsuz/ (US) · /sˈuːz/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sous
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a very small amount of money. People used this word in the past for a French coin that was not worth much.

For teachers: a former French coin of low value, equivalent to five centimes. Often used figuratively in negative constructions to indicate a total lack of funds.

## Examples

- He spent every last sous on his journey.
- After the business failed and the debts were settled, the family found themselves without a single sous to their name.
- The protagonist's descent into poverty is marked by his willingness to perform menial tasks for a few sous, illustrating the harsh economic realities of nineteenth-century urban life.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the plural form 'sous' or in the idiomatic phrase 'not a sous'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.