less than
English
Noun
less than (plural less thans)
- the character <, denoting having a smaller amount or number.
Adjective
less than (not comparable)
- (predicative) inferior in consideration, rank, or importance
- 2020, Frank Bruni, Mayor Pete Flew Sky High, New York Times:
- he noted that it had "sent a message to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than."
- 2020, Frank Bruni, Mayor Pete Flew Sky High, New York Times:
Usage notes
When used as an adjective, less than can never be used attributively, but it is also ungrammatical to use it as a postpositive immediately after the word modified. Rather, it must be used postpositively as part of a complement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related terms
Translations
the character <
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