minus

1 of 3

preposition

mi·​nus ˈmī-nəs 

1

: diminished by : less

seven minus four is three

2

: deprived of : without

minus his hat

minus

2 of 3

noun

1

: a negative quantity

2

: a negative quality

especially : drawback

minus

3 of 3

adjective

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 (such as a fungus)

4

: falling low in a specified range

B minus

Synonyms

Preposition

• without

Noun

• disadvantage
• handicap
• negative
• downside

Examples of minus in a Sentence

Preposition

He left the restaurant minus his hat.

a fruit that looks like a peach, minus the fuzz

Noun

She decided that the pluses of owning a home outweighed the minuses.

Some employers see a lack of experience as a real minus.

Put the minus to the left of the number.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

In a way, Frank Capra could have made this film minus all the CGI. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 July 2025

The style resembled Janet Jackson’s trademark hair in the ’80s, minus the frizz. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 8 July 2025

Noun

Reath has little athletic pop, doesn’t rebound and is a minus defender overall. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 21 June 2025

He’s got 10 goals (including three game-winners) and 10 assists and he’s tied with linemate Anton Lundell for the lead in playoff plus/minus at plus-18 (spare me your quibbles with the stat, analytics-heads). —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025

Adjective

The reason is that the fundamental scale in gravity is 10 to the minus 33 centimeters. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 29 May 2025

Or that the minus number when the Knicks starters are on the floor is a little bit nuts. —Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

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

First Known Use

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing minus

• minus sign
• on the minus side
• plus/minus sign
• plus or minus

Rhymes for minus

• coyness
• dryness
• highness
• linus
• pinus
• shyness
• sinus
• busyness
• equinus

Kids Definition

minus

1 of 3 preposition

mi·​nus ˈmī-nəs 

1

: with the subtraction of : less

7 minus 4 is 3

2

: without entry 1 sense 3a

minus his hat

minus

2 of 3 noun

1

: a negative quantity

2

: a negative quality

especially : disadvantage entry 1 sense 2b

minus

3 of 3 adjective

1

: mathematically negative

4 plus minus 3

2

: falling low in a specified range

a grade of C minus

Medical Definition

minus

adjective

mi·​nus ˈmī-nəs 

: 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