plus or minus

1 of 2

adjective

: indicating a quantity whose algebraically positive and negative values serve to bracket a range of values either alone or when added to and subtracted from a given number

measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 3 feet

plus or minus

2 of 2

adverb

: more or less, approximately

a dance for singles plus or minus age 30

Synonyms

Adverb

• approximately
• about
• roughly
• after a fashion
• say
• around

Examples of plus or minus in a Sentence

Adverb

I have plus or minus five dollars in change.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

The poll included 2,509 Americans over the age of 18, questioned between March 10 and March 31, and with margins of error between plus or minus 2.3 and 4.2 percentage points, according to the report. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025

Adverb

The survey of 1,582 adults, taken March 16-20 online has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7%. —Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023

The poll surveyed 805 adults via telephone interviews from March 16-20, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percentage points. —Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for plus or minus

• pinnace
• spinous

Kids Definition

plus or minus

adjective

: indicating a quantity whose positive and negative values establish the limits of a range of values

measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 1 gram