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