less
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for less, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Smaller in amount, degree, or quantity; not as much.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use less
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English laessa, "smaller, fewer," a very old Germanic word unrelated to "little" or "least" in origin.
Full origin of less →Frequently asked questions
What does “less” mean?
The word “less” means smaller in amount, degree, or quantity; not as much. In plain terms, a smaller amount of something — the opposite of "more.".
How do you pronounce “less”?
“Less” is pronounced lehs (/lɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “less” in a sentence?
Here is “less” used in a sentence: “She earns less money than her brother.”
What is the opposite of “less”?
The opposite of “less” — its antonyms — is plus.
What part of speech is “less”?
Depending on how it is used, “less” can be an adjective and a preposition.
Where does the word “less” come from?
The word “less” comes from Old English. From Old English laessa, "smaller, fewer," a very old Germanic word unrelated to "little" or "least" in origin.
Is “less” a common word?
“Less” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “less” have?
“Less” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: smaller in amount, degree, or quantity; not as much.
What is the difference between less and fewer?
Use 'fewer' for things you can count individually: fewer cars, fewer people, fewer mistakes. Use 'less' for amounts, mass, or degree you can't count separately: less water, less time, less money. A quick test: if the noun has a plural form, 'fewer' is usually correct.
What is the difference between less and least?
'Less' is comparative, contrasting two things: 'this bowl has less soup than that one.' 'Least' is superlative, marking the smallest of three or more: 'this bowl has the least soup of all.' Use 'less' for comparisons, 'least' for the bottom of a group.
Is '10 items or less' grammatically correct?
Strictly, no — items are countable, so purists prefer '10 items or fewer.' However, 'less' is extremely common in everyday speech and on signs, and many usage guides now accept it. In careful writing, choose 'fewer' for countable things like items.
What is the opposite of less?
The opposite of 'less' is 'more,' indicating a greater amount, degree, or quantity. Where 'less' reduces — less noise, less effort — 'more' increases things: more noise, more effort. For countable nouns, the matching pair is 'fewer' and 'more,' following the same logic.