less

¹less

adj \ˈles\

Definition of LESS

comparative of ¹little

1

: constituting a more limited number or amount <less than three> <less than half done>

2

: of lower rank, degree, or importance <no less a person than the president himself>

3

a : of reduced size, extent, or degree b : more limited in quantity <in less time>

— no less

—used to emphasize that something is regarded as impressive or surprising <wants to be driven to the airport, in a limousine no less>

Usage Discussion of LESS

The traditional view is that less applies to matters of degree, value, or amount and modifies collective nouns, mass nouns, or nouns denoting an abstract whole while fewer applies to matters of number and modifies plural nouns. Less has been used to modify plural nouns since the days of King Alfred and the usage, though roundly decried, appears to be increasing. Less is more likely than fewer to modify plural nouns when distances, sums of money, and a few fixed phrases are involved <less than 100 miles> <an investment of less than $2000> <in 25 words or less> and as likely as fewer to modify periods of time <in less (or fewer) than four hours>.

Examples of LESS

1. We need less talk and more work!
2. She finished in less time than I did.
3. Less detail is sometimes better than more detail.
4. 8 times 2 is less than 6 times 3.
5. We made it there in less than six hours.
6. The whole procedure takes less than five minutes.
7. The illness affects less than one percent of the population.

Origin of LESS

Middle English, partly from Old English lǣs, adverb & noun; partly from lǣssa, adjective; akin to OldFrisian lēs less

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LESS

Synonyms: inferior, junior, lesser, lower, minor, smaller, subordinate

Antonyms: greater, higher, major, more, primary, prime, senior, superior, superordinate

Related Words: little, mean, small; minute, petty; jerkwater, one-horse, second-class, second-rate, two-bit; associate, auxiliary, secondary, subsidiary

Near Antonyms: choice, exceptional, first-class, first-rate

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Rhymes with LESS

bless, cess, chess, cress, dress, ess, fess, guess, jess, loess, mess, ness, press, s, stress, tress, yes