less
gb/lˈɛs/ us/lˈɛs/
A2
English
~ 1000
kevesebb, kevésbé, kevesebbet, mínusz, levonva
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is less [adjective/noun] than [something else]
We have less time than we thought.
Kevesebb időnk van, mint gondoltuk.
This job is less stressful than my last one.
Ez a munka kevésbé stresszes, mint az előző.
The new model uses less energy.
Learner examples
I have less milk in my cup.
Kevesebb tej van a poharamban.
This box is less heavy than that one.
Ez a doboz kevésbé nehéz, mint az.
We need less sugar for this cake.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'less' and 'fewer'; 'less' is used with uncountable nouns, while 'fewer' is used with countable nouns.
Meaning
smaller in amount or degree
Collocations
less time
|less money
|less important
|less likely
|less common
Synonyms
fewer (Used for countable nouns; 'less' is often used incorrectly in this case in informal speech.)
Antonyms
more (Indicates a greater amount or degree.)
Themes
daily life
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having a smaller amount or level than another thing.
Not as much in quantity, size, or degree as something else.
A2
2
kevesebbet
A2
kevésbé
B1
Usage pattern:
[verb] less than [something else]
He cares less about appearances now.
Most már kevésbé törődik a látszattal.
We paid less for our tickets by booking early.
Kevesebbet fizettünk a jegyeinkért, mert korán foglaltunk.
They spoke less during the meeting.
Learner examples
I eat less than before.
Kevesebbet eszem, mint korábban.
She works less now.
Most kevesebbet dolgozik.
They talk less in class.
Meaning
to a smaller extent
Collocations
care less
|cost less
|work less
|sleep less
Synonyms
not as much (A phrase expressing the same idea in more words.)
Antonyms
more (Indicates to a greater extent or degree.)
Themes
comparison
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a smaller way or amount than before or than something else.
To a smaller amount, degree, or extent than something else.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[total] less [amount]
Ten less two equals eight.
Tíz mínusz kettő egyenlő nyolccal.
The shirt was $20 less a 10% discount.
Az ing 20 dollár volt, levonva belőle a 10%-os kedvezményt.
He weighs 5 kilos less than last year.
Learner examples
Ten less three is seven.
Tíz mínusz három az hét.
I paid $50 less $5 for tax.
Ötven dollárt fizettem, levonva belőle 5 dollár adót.
She is 2 years less than her brother.
Meaning
minus a certain amount
Collocations
ten less two
|fifty dollars less tax
Synonyms
minus (Used more often in mathematics; 'less' is more conversational.)
Antonyms
plus (Indicates addition instead of subtraction.)
Themes
mathematics
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show that you take away an amount from the total number or amount.
Indicating subtraction of a specified quantity from a total.
Grammar
Dictionary form
less
IPA
GB/lˈɛs/
US/lˈɛs/
Syllables & stress
less (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (less)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: less
- Comparative: less
- Superlative: least
Word family
Forms
least
adjective A2
Core family
lessen
verb B2
Related words
little
adjective A1
lesser
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
more
adjective A1
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: less Adjective
- Irregular superlative: least Adjective
Expressions
at least but not less than
1/ˈæt lˈist bˈʌt nˈɑt lˈɛs ðən/
fixed phrase
formal
minimum required amount
Used to say that an amount must not be smaller than the stated number.
Examples
- You must spend at least but not less than $100 to qualify for free shipping.
- The project should take at least but not less than two weeks.
less and less
1/lˈɛs ˈænd lˈɛs/
fixed phrase
decreasing over time
Happening in smaller amounts as time passes.
Examples
- She visits us less and less these days.
- I have been sleeping less and less lately.
no less than
1/nˈoʊ lˈɛs ðən/
fixed phrase
an unexpectedly large amount
Used to show that a number or amount is surprisingly large.
Examples
- It cost no less than $500 to repair the car.
- She ran no less than five miles every day.
nothing less than
1/nˈʌθɪŋ lˈɛs ðən/
fixed phrase
exactly something extreme or impressive
Used to say something is exactly what is described, often surprising or impressive.
Examples
- His recovery was nothing less than a miracle.
- The performance was nothing less than perfect.