Less Definition

lĕs
adjective
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:
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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
Webster's New World
To a smaller extent.
Less likely to succeed.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
noun
A smaller amount.
Webster's New World
Something not as important as something else.
People have been punished for less.
American Heritage
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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
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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

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