minus

¹mi·nus

preposition \ˈmī-nəs\

Definition of MINUS

1

: diminished by : less <seven minus four is three>

2

: deprived of : without <minus his hat>

Examples of MINUS

1. He left the restaurant minus his hat.
2. a fruit that looks like a peach, minus the fuzz

Origin of MINUS

Middle English, from Latin minus, adverb, less, from neuter of minor smaller — more at minor

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MINUS

Synonyms

absent, without, sans, wanting

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with MINUS

dryness, finis, highness, Minos, shyness, sinus, slyness, spinous, spryness, vinous, wryness

²minus

noun

Definition of MINUS

1

: a negative quantity

2

: a negative quality; especially : drawback

Examples of MINUS

1. She decided that the pluses of owning a home outweighed the minuses.
2. Some employers see a lack of experience as a real minus.
3. Put the minus to the left of the number.

First Known Use of MINUS

1708

Related to MINUS

Synonyms

debit, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability, disadvantage, negative, strike

Antonyms

advantage, asset, edge, plus

Related Words

albatross, millstone, stranglehold; disability, impairment; failing, shortcoming; bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel

Near Antonyms

vantage; head start, jump, lead, margin, start; ascendancy (also ascendency), better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand; prerogative, privilege; break, opportunity; aid, assistance, help

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

³minus

adjective

Definition of MINUS

1

: algebraically negative <a minus quantity> <minus ten degrees>

2

: having a negative quality

3

: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus)

4

: falling low in a specified range <B minus>

First Known Use of MINUS

1776

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

mi·nus

adjective \ˈmī-nəs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MINUS

: relating to or being one of the two mating types required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus)—compare plus