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less

det. · adv. · prep. · n.
US //ˈɫɛs// UK //lˈɛs// less
  1. 1 smaller amount (det.)
    A2 Elementary

    a smaller amount of something that you cannot count.

    a smaller amount or quantity of an uncountable substance or abstract concept.

    Example

    I try to spend less money on coffee and save for my holiday.

    Example

    The new engine design requires significantly less maintenance than the previous model, leading to lower long-term costs for the airline.
    • not as much
    Pitfall
    I have less books than you.
    I have fewer books than you.

    In formal English, use 'less' for things you cannot count (like water or time) and 'fewer' for things you can count (like books or people).

  2. 2 to a smaller degree (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    used to say that something is not as much as it was before or not as much as something else.

    to a smaller extent or degree; used as a comparative modifier for adjectives and other adverbs.

    Example

    This exercise is less difficult than the one we did yesterday.

    Example

    The second half of the film was less engaging than the first, failing to maintain the tension established in the opening scenes.
    • not as
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  1. 3 minus (prep.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Math

    minus or taking away a specific amount.

    minus; reduced by the subtraction of a specified amount or item.

    Example

    The total cost is fifty pounds, less a five-pound discount.

    Example

    The final settlement amount will be the gross profit less any administrative expenses incurred during the fiscal year.
  2. 4 a smaller quantity (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a smaller amount of something.

    a smaller amount, quantity, or portion of something previously mentioned.

    Example

    He expected a lot of help, but he received much less.

    Example

    While some investors hoped for a significant return, they ultimately had to settle for much less due to the market downturn.
Etymology 1

Adverb From Middle English les, lesse, leasse, lasse, from Old English lǣs (“smaller, less”), from Proto-Germanic laisiz, from Proto-Indo-European leys- (“to shrink, grow thin, be gentle”). Cognate with Old Frisian lēs (“less”), Old Saxon lēs (“less”). According to Kroonen (2013), from a northern Indo-European root Proto-Indo-European leh₂is- or leh₃is-, which he connects to Lithuanian liesas (“lean”). Determiner and preposition from Middle English lees, lesse, leasse, lasse, from Old English lǣssa (“less”), from Proto-Germanic laisizan-, from Proto-Germanic laisiz (“smaller, lesser, fewer, lower”) (see above). Cognate with Old Frisian lessa (“less”). Verb from Middle English lessen, from the determiner. Noun from Middle English lesse, from the determiner.

Etymology 2

From Middle English lesse, les, from Old English lǣs, as in þȳ lǣs þe.

Idioms3 entries

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