less

less is on the Basic English 850 List.

list - less - living

less is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

leg - less - let

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /lɛs/
• SAMPA: /lEs/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (UK)

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Determiner

Determiner little

Comparative less

Superlative least

1. (indefinite) (singular) (non-count) A smaller amount or degree.
   • Synonyms: fewer and reduced
   • Antonym: more

   He does less of the work than she does.

   I want less soup.

   It costs less than $10.

   As we build new roads, these small ones will become less important.

   He wore a dark colour that was less likely to be seen.

Related words

• little
• least
• more or less
• -less
• couldn’t care less

Determiner

Plain none

Comparative less

Superlative least

1. If you do ${\displaystyle x}$ less than ${\displaystyle y}$, you do not do ${\displaystyle x}$ as much as ${\displaystyle y}$.
   • Antonym: more

   I read less than I used to. = "reading now < reading before"

   He works less than she does.

   My leg really hurts, but my arm hurts less. = "my arm hurts < my leg hurts"

2. If you do something less often, easily, well, etc., you do not do it as often, easily, well, etc.
   • Antonym: more

   I go out less often than before.

   He plays piano less than she does.

3. If something is less likely, expensive, important, etc., it is not as likely, expensive, important, etc.
   • Antonym: more

   This book is less expensive than that book. ="the price of this book < the price of that book"

   You should go out. Studying is less important.

Usage notes

(with adjectives) Less identifies the negative comparative form of all comparable adjectives. For example, with the adjective intelligent, the negative comparative is less intelligent. A similar form is the negative superlative.

Preposition

Preposition less

1. (mathematics) minus
   • Antonym: plus

   Seven less four is three. (${\displaystyle 7-4=3}$)