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

Former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won a national championship with Indiana in January, was more or less a lock to go the Las Vegas Raiders first overall. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

The Dungeons & Dragons experience was more or less the same as last year with better storytelling and acting along with some great special effects. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026

Whereas the film more or less followed the book’s plot, the series description suggests a somewhat different take. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026

But milking will continue on the farm here at more or less the same clock times. —Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 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