mi·nus
ˈmī-nəs 
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
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
Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
This strategy yields a return profile that includes the premium as income, with breakeven at the strike minus the premium.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
After logging nine points and having a plus-minus rating of minus-6 in 21 regular-season games, Jones logged nine points (four goals, five assists) and had a plus-11 rating in 23 Stanley Cup playoff games while averaging a team-high 25 minutes 30 seconds of ice time per game.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The club has scored six goals and given up seven on the season for a minus-one goal differential.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minus
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Preposition
Previous, non-Trump administrations likely would have ironed out any problems minus the drama; that seems never to have occurred to this White House.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
This strategy yields a return profile that includes the premium as income, with breakeven at the strike minus the premium.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Alabama and Ole Miss vaulted into the club with big wins, while Texas A&M crept into minus-odds territory with a home win against Auburn.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
After logging nine points and having a plus-minus rating of minus-6 in 21 regular-season games, Jones logged nine points (four goals, five assists) and had a plus-11 rating in 23 Stanley Cup playoff games while averaging a team-high 25 minutes 30 seconds of ice time per game.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In the fall of Biden’s first year in office, 2021, his net approval in the Marquette poll was minus 4, compared to Trump’s current rating of minus 14.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The club has scored six goals and given up seven on the season for a minus-one goal differential.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minus
Cite this Entry
“Minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minus. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
: a negative quantity
2
: a negative quality
especially
: disadvantage entry 1 sense 2b
minus
3 of 3 adjective1
: mathematically negative
4 plus minus 3
2
: falling low in a specified range
a grade of C minus
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