Definitions and Synonyms of less | Another word for less | What is less?
Definition 1: (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree - [adjective denoting all]Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- of less importance
- less time to spend with the family
- a shower uses less water
- less than three years old
(means also ...) (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some
"little rain fell in May" "gave it little thought" "little time is left" "we still have little money" "a little hope remained" "there's slight chance that it will work" "there's a slight chance it will work" (less is used in the usage domain ...) the comparative form of an adjective or adverb
"`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'" "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'" "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'"
Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- of less importance
- less time to spend with the family
- a shower uses less water
- less than three years old
(means also ...) (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some
"little rain fell in May" "gave it little thought" "little time is left" "we still have little money" "a little hope remained" "there's slight chance that it will work" "there's a slight chance it will work"(less is used in the usage domain ...) the comparative form of an adjective or adverb
"`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'" "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'" "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'"Definition 2: used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs - [adverb denoting all]Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- less interesting
- less expensive
- less quickly
Synonyms for less in the sense of this definition
Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- less interesting
- less expensive
- less quickly
Synonyms for less in the sense of this definition
Definition 3: comparative of little - [adverb denoting all]Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- she walks less than she should
- he works less these days
Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- she walks less than she should
- he works less these days
Definition 4: (nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer - [adjective satellite denoting all]Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- less than three weeks
- no less than 50 people attended
- in 25 words or less
(less is similar to ...) (comparative of `few' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
"fewer birds came this year" "the birds are fewer this year" "fewer trains were late"
Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- less than three weeks
- no less than 50 people attended
- in 25 words or less
(less is similar to ...) (comparative of `few' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
"fewer birds came this year" "the birds are fewer this year" "fewer trains were late"Definition 5: (usually preceded by `no') lower in quality - [adjective satellite denoting all]Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- no less than perfect
(less is similar to ...) of low or inferior quality
Samples where less or its synonyms are used according to this definition
- no less than perfect