less

Meanings

1. 1determiner

   A smaller amount of something, especially with uncountable nouns.

   Grammar: Used before uncountable nouns: less water, less time. For countable nouns, use fewer.

   Patterns

   • less + uncountable noun
   • less than + amount

   I have less money than I thought.

   Try to use less sugar in your coffee.

   There is less traffic on Sundays.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   To a smaller degree or extent.

   Grammar: Often used with adjectives or verbs: less interesting, work less.

   Patterns

   • less + adjective
   • verb + less

   This book is less interesting than the last one.

   He exercises less now than he used to.

   She speaks less loudly than her sister.

3. 3pronoun

   A smaller amount or number.

   Grammar: Stands alone as a pronoun: I wanted more, but got less.

   Patterns

   • less than
   • much less

   We expected more guests, but less came.

   He earns less than his wife.

   I need less of your advice.

4. 4preposition

   Minus; after subtracting.

   Grammar: Used in arithmetic: ten less five is five.

   Patterns

   • number less number

   Ten less three equals seven.

   The price is $50 less tax.

Common combinations

less than

The trip took less than an hour.

less and less

She visits less and less often.

much less

I can't afford a car, much less a boat.

no less

He won the prize, no less.

less likely

People are less likely to smoke these days.

Synonyms and how they differ

fewer

Fewer is used with countable nouns (fewer cars), while less is for uncountable nouns (less water).

smaller

Smaller refers to size, not amount; less refers to quantity or degree.

Opposites

Word family

lessen verb

To make or become smaller in amount or degree.

lesser adjective

Smaller in size, importance, or degree.

Commonly confused: less or fewer?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “less”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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