Idioms for less
less than,
by far short of being; not in the least; hardly at all: The job is less than perfect.
Origin of less
before 900; Middle English; Old English
lǣs (adv.),
lǣssa (adj.); cognate with Old Frisian
lês (adv.),
lêssa (adj.). See
least
usage note for less
Even though
less has been used before plural nouns (
less words; less men ) since the time of King Alfred, many modern usage guides say that only
fewer can be used in such contexts.
Less, they say, should modify singular mass nouns (
less sugar; less money ) and singular abstract nouns (
less honesty; less love ). It should modify plural nouns only when they suggest combination into a unit, group, or aggregation:
less than $50 (a sum of money);
less than three miles (a unit of distance). With plural nouns specifying individuals or readily distinguishable units, the guides say that
fewer is the only proper choice:
fewer words; fewer men; no fewer than 31 of the 50 states.
Modern standard English practice does not reflect this distinction. When followed by than, less occurs at least as often as fewer in modifying plural nouns that are not units or groups, and the use of less in this construction is increasing in all varieties of English: less than eight million people; no less than 31 of the 50 states. When not followed by than, fewer is more frequent only in formal written English, and in this construction also the use of less is increasing: This year we have had less crimes, less accidents, and less fires than in any of the last five years.
Modern standard English practice does not reflect this distinction. When followed by than, less occurs at least as often as fewer in modifying plural nouns that are not units or groups, and the use of less in this construction is increasing in all varieties of English: less than eight million people; no less than 31 of the 50 states. When not followed by than, fewer is more frequent only in formal written English, and in this construction also the use of less is increasing: This year we have had less crimes, less accidents, and less fires than in any of the last five years.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH less
fewer less (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby less
Definition for less (2 of 3)
little
[ lit-l ]
/ ˈlɪt l /
adjective, lit·tler or less or less·er, lit·tlest or least.
adverb, less, least.
noun
Origin of little
before 900; Middle English, Old English
lȳtel (
lȳt few, small +
-el diminutive suffix), cognate with Dutch
luttel, Old High German
luzzil, Old Norse
lītill
SYNONYMS FOR little
1–4
tiny,
teeny,
wee.
Little,
diminutive,
minute,
small refer to that which is not large or significant.
Little (the opposite of
big ) is very general, covering size, extent, number, quantity, amount, duration, or degree:
a little boy; a little time.
Small (the opposite of
large and of
great ) can many times be used interchangeably with
little, but is especially applied to what is limited or below the average in size:
small oranges.
Diminutive denotes (usually physical) size that is much less than the average or ordinary; it may suggest delicacy:
the baby's diminutive fingers; diminutive in size but autocratic in manner.
Minute suggests that which is so tiny it is difficult to discern, or that which implies attentiveness to the smallest details:
a minute quantity; a minute exam.
OTHER WORDS FROM little
lit·tlish [lit-l-ish, lit-lish] /ˈlɪt l ɪʃ, ˈlɪt lɪʃ/, adjective lit·tle·ness, nounDefinition for less (3 of 3)
-less
an adjective suffix meaning “without” (childless; peerless), and in adjectives derived from verbs, indicating failure or inability to perform or be performed (resistless; tireless).
Origin of -less
Middle English
-les, Old English
-lēas, special use of
lēas free from, without, false; cognate with Old Norse
lauss, German
los,
loose
Example sentences from the Web for less
British Dictionary definitions for less (1 of 3)
less
/ (lɛs) /
determiner
adverb
preposition
subtracting; minus
three weeks less a day
Word Origin for less
Old English
lǣssa (adj),
lǣs (adv, n)
usage for less
Less should not be confused with
fewer. Less refers strictly only to quantity and not to number:
there is less water than before. Fewer means smaller in number:
there are fewer people than before
British Dictionary definitions for less (2 of 3)
-less
suffix forming adjectives
without; lacking
speechless
not able to (do something) or not able to be (done, performed, etc)
countless
Word Origin for -less
Old English
-lās, from
lēas lacking
British Dictionary definitions for less (3 of 3)
little
/ (ˈlɪtəl) /
determiner
adjective
adverb
Word Origin for little
Old English
lӯtel; related to
lӯr few, Old High German
luzzil
Idioms and Phrases with less (1 of 2)
less
Idioms and Phrases with less (2 of 2)
little