Meaning & Definition of Less in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A smaller amount of; not as much.

  Example Sentence: She has less money than her brother.

• Definition: Used with comparatives for degree.

  Example Sentence: He is less interested in sports than she is.

• Definition: To a smaller extent.

  Example Sentence: I love you less now than I did before.

Etymology

Origin: Old English 'læs', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'minder' and German 'weniger'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• less is more: Used to express that simplicity often leads to better results.
• less than: Not as much or not equal to.
• no less: Not any less; in fact, possibly more.

Translations

• Spanish: menos

• French: moins

• German: weniger

• Russian: меньше

Related Words

• fewer: A smaller number of; used with countable nouns.

• least: The smallest amount or degree.

• lessen: To make or become less.

Slang Meanings of less

• Meaning: To diminish or decrease.

  Example Sentence: I need to less my workload.

• Meaning: To tone down or reduce something.

  Example Sentence: Let's less the music a bit.