Sekirov Dictionary

less

/lɛs/

determiner 2
adverb 2
adjective 1
conjunction 1
noun 1
preposition 1
verb 1
forms 3
phrases 4

determiner2

•
not as much
- No less than eight pints of beer.
- I have less tea than coffee.
•
(nonstandard) Fewer; a smaller number of.
- There are less people here now.
- Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.

adverb2

•
Used for constructing syntactic diminutive comparatives of adjectives and adverbs.
- Randal is less welcome than Rachel but as her spouse we should invite them both.
- This gadget is less useful than I expected.
•
To a smaller extent or degree.
- The grammar book was less than (that is, not at all) helpful.
- That this is a positive one makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.

adjective1

•
(no longer used) Lesser; smaller.
- Such too, to a greater or less extent, is the condition of the operatives of every denomination in England, which is the great workhouse of the world. — 1854

conjunction1

•
(dialect, nonstandard) unless
- To tell you true, 'tis too good for you, 'less you had grace to follow it — 1614

noun1

•
A smaller amount or quantity.
- Less is better.
- I have less to do today than yesterday.

preposition1

•
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.
- Total: $500, less $50 expenses.

verb1

•
(no longer used) To make less; to lessen.
- What he will make lesse, he lesseth. — 1386

forms

lessed · lessing · lesses

Phrases with less

This dictionary works without the internet: on your phone · in Chrome