# minus

/ˈmaɪnəs/ (US) · /mˈaɪnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/minus
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. subtraction

preposition · CEFR A2

used to show that one number is being taken away from another.

For teachers: denoting subtraction or the reduction of one quantity by another.

- Seven minus three equals four.
- The final invoice total was the gross amount minus the initial deposit paid last month.

Usage: Functions as a preposition; the result of the operation is called the 'difference'.

### 2. without

preposition · CEFR B2 · Informal

not having something; missing a part.

For teachers: deprived of or lacking a specific element or accompaniment.

- He returned from the beach minus his sunglasses.
- The team arrived at the presentation minus their lead designer, who had been delayed by a cancelled flight.

Teaching tip: This usage is common in spoken English to describe accidental loss or humorous absence.

### 3. a disadvantage

noun · CEFR B1

a bad point or a disadvantage of a situation.

For teachers: a negative quality, drawback, or disadvantage.

- The house is beautiful, but the long commute is a big minus.
- When weighing the job offer, she considered the high salary a plus, but the lack of remote work options was a significant minus.

### 4. the symbol

noun · CEFR B1

the sign (−) used in math to show subtraction or negative numbers.

For teachers: the mathematical character or symbol representing the operation of subtraction or a negative value.

- You forgot to put a minus in front of the number.
- The student consistently confused the hyphen with the minus sign in his calculus homework.

### 5. below zero

adjective · CEFR A2

used to describe temperatures or numbers that are less than zero.

For teachers: pertaining to a quantity less than zero on a specific scale.

- The temperature dropped to minus ten degrees last night.
- The company reported a minus figure for the third quarter, indicating a net loss rather than a profit.

Usage: In temperature, 'minus' is usually placed before the number.

### 6. slightly below a grade

adjective · CEFR B2

used after a letter grade to show it is slightly lower than that grade.

For teachers: ranking just below a designated letter grade or rating.

- She was disappointed to get a B minus on her essay.
- The credit agency downgraded the country's rating from A to A minus following the economic crisis.

Usage: Always placed immediately after the noun or grade it modifies.

## Examples

- The long commute is a big minus for this job.
- While the apartment is beautiful and modern, the lack of nearby public transport is a significant minus.
- When evaluating the merger, the board considered the potential for market expansion a major plus, while the cultural clash between the two teams remained a worrying minus.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.