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

But as electric cars dropped in price and gained popularity, the highway has more or less been left for dead. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Miami crushed Stanford last season 42-7, and while circumstances might be different — cross-country travel, new rosters and a Friday night game to open the season — the results should more or less be the same. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

After splitting from his longtime female partner, who’s more or less his contemporary, Hamm, like Draper, has taken up with a much younger woman. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

At the end of the day, the special master said, only a judge can decide what is owed, and that could be more or less than what the special master recommends. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 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