lesser

1 of 2

adjective

less·​er ˈle-sər 

comparative of little entry 1

: of less size, quality, degree, or significance : of lower status

lesser

2 of 2

adverb

: less

lesser-known

Synonyms of lesser

Adjective

• less
• smaller
• lower

Examples of lesser in a Sentence

Adjective

The winner will receive $100; lesser amounts will be given to three runners-up.

A lesser man than he might have simply given up.

She agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward. — Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points. — Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023

Adverb

But a lot of the joy and novelty in the tournament came from its new, or lesser-seen, participants, like Cabo Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

National parks get all the attention, but some of the country’s most striking landscapes are found in lesser-known—and therefore less busy—state parks. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lesser

• lesser celandine
• lesser cornstalk borer
• lesser of two evils
• lesser one-horned rhino
• lesser one-horned rhinoceros
• lesser panda
• lesser peach tree borer
• lesser yellowlegs
• to a greater/lesser degree/extent
• to a greater or lesser degree/extent

Rhymes for lesser

• dresser
• lessor
• presser
• pressor
• stressor
• aggressor
• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar

Kids Definition

lesser

1 of 2 adjective

less·​er ˈles-ər 

: of smaller size or importance

lesser

2 of 2 adverb

: less entry 2

Legal Definition

lesser

adjective

less·​er ˈle-sər 

: of less size, quality, degree, or significance

specifically : of lower criminal liability

duress has been held a good defense to such lesser crimes as robbery, burglary and malicious mischief

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.