less
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also -less
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Old English læs
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adverb
less (not comparable)
- To smaller extent
- In lower degree
- This is a less bad solution than I thought possible.
[edit] Antonyms
[edit] Translations
to smaller extent
in lower degree
[edit] Adjective
less (superlative least)
- (now archaic except with numbers) comparative form of little: more little; smaller. [from 11th c.]
- 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, in Kupperman 1988, p. 141:
- Those Rattels are somewhat like the chape of a Rapier, but lesse [...].
- 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, in Kupperman 1988, p. 141:
- A smaller amount (of); not as much. [from 14th c.]
- I have less than you have.
- I have less tea than coffee.
- (proscribed) A smaller number of; fewer. [from 9th c.]
- 1952, Thomas M Pryor, New York Times, 7 Sep 1952:
- This is not a happy situation as far as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes is concerned because it means less jobs for the union's members here at home.
- 1999, George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam 2011, p. 555:
- No less than four standard-bearers went before them, carrying huge crimson banners emblazoned with the golden lion.
- 2003, Timandra Harkness, The Guardian, 16 Dec 2003:
- Although my hosts, G S Aviation, can teach you to fly in Wiltshire, an intensive week at their French airfield means less problems with the weather, cheap but good living, and complete removal from any distractions.
- 1952, Thomas M Pryor, New York Times, 7 Sep 1952:
[edit] Usage notes
Some [1] regard the use of the determiner less with quantities to be incorrect, stating that less should indicate only a reduction in size or significance, leaving fewer to indicate a smaller quantity:
- Their troubles are fewer than ours, meaning "Their troubles are not so numerous as ours."
- Their troubles are less than ours, meaning "Their troubles are not so great as ours."
In typical usage this distinction is absent, and less has been widely understood and commonly used as a synonym to fewer since it first appeared in Old English, compare læs.
[edit] Antonyms
[edit] Translations
comparative form of "little" for numbers
not as much
smaller number of
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
[edit] See also
[edit] Preposition
less
- 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.
[edit] Antonyms
[edit] Translations
not including
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[edit] Derived terms
Terms derived from "less"
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Lombard
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈlɛsː/
[edit] Noun
less m. (invariable)
[edit] Polish
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈlɛsː/
[edit] Noun
less m.
[edit] Declension
declension of less
