less

1. 1

   comparative degree of littlecomparativediminutiveform-of

   • I slept little last night, but even less the night before.
   • I like him less each time I see him.
2. 2

   Used for constructing syntactic diminutive comparatives of adjectives and adverbs.comparativediminutive

   • This gadget is less useful than I expected.
   • I'm not any less happy for being on my own.
3. 3

   To a smaller extent or degree.comparativediminutive

   • The grammar book was less than (that is, not at all) helpful.
   • That this is a positive quality makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.

ant. more

1. 1

   comparative form of little: more little; of inferior size, degree or extent; smaller, lesser.comparativeform-of

   • Those Rattels are somewhat like the chape of a Rapier, but lesse, which they take from the taile of a snake.
   • We are likewise ready to maintain with the hazard of all that is near and dear to us, that six is less than seven in all times and all places […].
2. 2

   A smaller amount of; not as much.

   • No less than eight pints of beer.
   • I have less tea than coffee.
3. 3

   Fewer; a smaller number of.proscribed

   • There are less people here now.
   • Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.

ant. more

1. 1

   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.

ant. plus

1. 1

   To make less; to lessen.archaic

   • 1386-90, Gower, Confessio Amantis What he will make lesse, he lesseth.
   • The protracted term of life, and the lingering illness through which this gentleman had passed, had neither impaired the original vigour of his mind, nor lessed the uncommon warmth of his affections.

1. 1

   Lesser; smaller.archaicnot-comparable

   • 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.
   • This he said, thinking that Alan would be pleased; but the Highlandman’s vanity was ready to startle at a less matter than that.

1. 1

   A smaller amount or quantity.uncountable

   • Less is better, because less is more.
   • I have less to do today than yesterday.

1. 1

   unlessdialectalnonstandard

   • To tell you true, 'tis too good for you, 'less you had grace to follow it

1. 1

   Pronunciation spelling or misspelling of let's.alt-ofmisspellingpronunciation-spelling