less

(adjective, verb, adverb, conjunction, preposition)

adjective

1. a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree; little.

- of less importance

- less time to spend with the family

- a shower uses less water

Similar word(s): little, slight

2. (usually preceded by `no') lower in quality

- no less than perfect

Similar word(s): inferior

3. a smaller number of; fewer.

- less than three weeks

- no less than 50 people attended

- in 25 words or less

Similar word(s): fewer

Sentences with less as an adjective:

- I have less than you have;

adverb

1. used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

- less interesting

- less expensive

- less quickly

2. comparative of little

- she walks less than she should

- he works less these days

Sentences with less as an adverb:

- This is a less bad solution than I thought possible.

conjunction

1. (obsolete) unless

preposition

1. Minus; not including

- It should then tax all of that as personal income, less the proportion of the car's annual mileage demonstrably clocked up on company business.

verb

1. (obsolete) To make less; to lessen.