26984 words

less

8 definitions • 16 examples
1
a smaller amount (of), or to a smaller degree:

Examples:

We must try to spend less money.
Exercise more and eat less.
less than I eat less chocolate and fewer biscuits than I used to.
Getting out of bed in summer is less difficult than in winter.
2
used to say that something does not have the good or attractive characteristic that is stated:

Examples:

I think he was less than honest with me.
3
If something happens less and less, it becomes gradually smaller in amount or happens less often:

Examples:

He's less and less able to look after himself.
4
→

Examples:

The total is 30 dollars, less the five dollars deposit that you paid.
5
used to form adjectives meaning "without (the thing mentioned)":
6
a smaller amount of something, to a smaller degree, or not as much; comparative oflittle :

Examples:

We’ve got to spend less money.
It was less than a mile to the nearest gas station.
She had less reason to complain than I.
Skiing conditions this year are less than ideal (= not good).
There were no less than (= as many as) a thousand people buying tickets.
7
minus ; after subtracting:

Examples:

$30, less the discount of 15%, is $25.50.
8
after subtracting a particular number or amount:

Examples:

The account will pay at least base rate less 0.25% until 31 March next year.

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