minus

1 of 3

preposition

mi·​nus ˈmī-nəs 

1

: diminished by : less

seven minus four is three

2

: deprived of : without

left minus his hat

minus

2 of 3

noun

1

: a negative quantity

2

: a negative quality

especially : drawback

decided the pluses of owning a house outweighed the minuses

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 of minus

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

The other two models that find their way into the Alox Refined collection are the standard Synergy, which features the same tools as the Synergy X minus the scissors, and the Onefold, which is really just a small folding knife with a single straight blade and pocket clip. —New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025

That could include hotel tax, card room tax, admission tax, and local sales and use tax minus the city’s expenses for the project. —Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Noun

Ware entered the game with a team worst minus 43 plus/minus, meaning Miami has been outscored by 43 with on the floor. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

The Broncos won despite finishing minus-two in the turnover department. —Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Denver has a minus-three turnover differential overall this season. —Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

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

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