Englishئاساسىي لۇغەت
less
Universal Words
determiner, pronoun, adverb, preposition
determiner, pronoun used with uncountable nouns to mean 'a smaller amount of':
less butter / time / importance * He was advised to smoke fewer cigarettes and drink less beer. * We have less to worry about now. * It is less of a problem than I'd expected. * We'll be there in less than no time (= very soon). * The victory was nothing less than a miracle.
IDIOMS
less and less smaller and smaller amounts:
As time passed, she saw less and less of all her old friends at home.
no less (often ironic) used to suggest that sth is surprising or impressive:
She's having lunch with the Director, no less.
no less than... used to emphasize a large amount:
The guide contains details of no less than 115 hiking routes.
adverb to a smaller degree; not so much:
less expensive / likely / intelligent * less often / enthusiastically * I read much less now than I used to. * The receptionist was less than (= not at all) helpful. * She wasn't any the less happy for (= she was perfectly happy) being on her own. * That this is a positive stereotype makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.
IDIOMS
even / much / still less and certainly not:
No explanation was offered, still less an apology. * He's too shy to ask a stranger the time, much less speak to a room full of people.
less and less continuing to become smaller in amount:
She found the job less and less attractive.
moreatMOREadv.
preposition used before a particular amount that must be taken away from the amount just mentioned
SYNMINUS:
a monthly salary of 」1200 less tax and insurance * Send a cheque for the catalogue price, less 10% discount.
suffix (in adjectives)
1 without:
treeless * meaningless
2 not doing; not affected by:
tireless * selfless
-lessly (in adverbs):
hopelessly
-lessness (in nouns):
helplessness