Less Definition

lĕs

adjective

Little.

Webster's New World

Not so much; smaller in size or amount.

To drink less milk, take less time.

Webster's New World

Lower in importance, esteem, or rank.

No less a person than the ambassador.

American Heritage

Fewer.

In less than 25 words.

Webster's New World

Consisting of a smaller number.

American Heritage

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
superior
bigger
more

preposition

With the deduction of; minus.

Earned about $5,000, less taxes; thirty less ten is twenty.

Webster's New World

Less is defined as minus.

An example of less used as a preposition is in the sentence, "Ten less seven is three," which means ten minus seven is three.

YourDictionary

adverb

Little.

Webster's New World

To a smaller extent.

Less likely to succeed.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
to a lesser extent
shortened
smaller
reduced
minus
little
inferior
fewer
diminished
lower

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
more

noun

A smaller amount.

Webster's New World

Something not as important as something else.

People have been punished for less.

American Heritage

suffix

Without; lacking.

Blameless.

American Heritage

Unable to act or be acted on in a specified way.

Dauntless.

American Heritage

affix

Without, lacking.

Pitiless, valueless.

Webster's New World

Not able or apt to.

Relentless, tireless, reckless.

Webster's New World

Not able or apt to be ____ed.

Dauntless.

Webster's New World

verb

(obsolete) To make less; to lessen.

Wiktionary

conjuntion

(obsolete) Unless.

Wiktionary

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Less

Origin of Less

From Old English -lÄ“as, from lÄ“as (“devoid of"), from Proto-Germanic *lausaz. (Not related to less, which derives from *laisiz, *laisizô.) Cognate to German los, -los.

From Wiktionary
Middle English lesse from Old English lǣssa (adj.) lǣs (adv.) leis-² in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English -lesse from Old English -lēas from lēas without leu- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
ME -les, -leas < OE -leas < leas, free, loose, akin to losian, lose

From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition
From Middle English, from Old English læs, from Proto-Germanic *laisiz.

From Wiktionary