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

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 Jan. 2026

The most recent new recruits in luxury — Atlein’s Antonin Tron for Balmain; Meryll Rogge for Marni; Maria-Grazi Chiuri for Fendi, and Wales Bonner for Hermès — suggest there is demand for both famous and lesser-known names. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025

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.