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

That’s more or less in the same weight range as most midweight cruisers. — New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026

Barring a cultural revolution, its current students will more or less be running the country from about 2045 to 2070. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

People come to the house on a more or less daily basis to take photos in front of it. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Every sequence shot had to last exactly five minutes, no more or less. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 19 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