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

This has been, more or less, Rocha’s approach in trying to help González stay in the States. — Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026

On paper, this prequel-y reboot seemed to rewind too far, starting in more or less contemporary times and thus removing the more fantastical elements (and replacing them, unpromisingly, with leading man James Franco). — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Trask’s release on Sunday was more or less written on the wall. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026

If both top closers have to do more or less the same thing, namely, stay in contention, arguably what has to happen here for either to hit the wire first, then the next question is, who wins in a stretch duel. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 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