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

On top of everything, California’s $4 trillion economy is more or less stuck in neutral, with the nation’s highest unemployment rate, no net job growth since the COVID-19 pandemic and severe employment cutbacks in signature sectors, such as film and TV production technology. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

And his opinion is more or less consensus at this point. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026

And to this day, despite what people might wish, the fact is that when a tree gets cut down, special or otherwise, the deed goes more or less unpunished. —Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Alimony can be awarded more or less permanently, or until a spouse dies or remarries. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025

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