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

One example is a lithium-ion capacitor hybrid system that can activate instantly at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 degrees Celsius) while delivering continuous power. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

This was the first opportunity to see 2026 NBA draftees Christian Anderson and Hannes Steinbach in action, signaling the start of an era minus previous mainstays LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026

Noun

Despite all of that, Karaban did finish plus-12, the highest plus-minus total on the team. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026

But Green’s advanced statistics sharply declined, with his box-plus-minus painting him as only a slightly above-average stopper while being one of the worst offensive players in the league. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Adjective

With two losses and a minus-seven goal differential, the World Cup is all but over for Uzbekistan. — Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

First, ask yourself is your overall situation a plus, minus, or neutral? — Nancy K. Schlossberg, USA Today, 26 June 2026

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