more or less

adverb

1

: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree : somewhat

they were more or less willing to help

2

: with small variations : approximately

contains 16 acres more or less

Synonyms of more or less

• almost
• practically
• nearly
• pretty much
• just about
• fairly

Examples of more or less in a Sentence

the lot is 16 acres more or less

most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the past half century, Americans have grown accustomed to regional conflicts fought by specialized professional troops, in which the support of Congress or the American public seems more or less irrelevant. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Whites are more or less spot-on with all three signals, and no colors show any significant tint. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

But the film is something of an endangered species since studios have more or less stopped making theatrical comedies. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026

So in that sense, the Band could only have so many people there, and a lot of those people were more or less direct influences on them. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for more or less

• adulteress
• adventuress
• nevertheless
• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress

Kids Definition

more or less

adverb

1

: to a varying or uncertain degree : somewhat

they were more or less willing to help

2

: with small variations : approximately

contains 16 acres more or less