less
gb/lˈɛs/ us/lˈɛs/
A2
Engels
~ 1000
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
adjective
A2
property
1
smaller in amount or degree
Having a smaller amount or level than another thing.
Gebruikspatroon:
[something] is less [adjective/noun] than [something else]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners often confuse 'less' and 'fewer'; 'less' is used with uncountable nouns, while 'fewer' is used with countable nouns.
Synoniemen
fewer (Used for countable nouns; 'less' is often used incorrectly in this case in informal speech.)
Antoniemen
more (Indicates a greater amount or degree.)
Woordcombinaties
less time
|less money
|less important
|less likely
|less common
Thema's
daily life
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- We have less time than we thought.
- This job is less stressful than my last one.
- The new model uses less energy.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I have less milk in my cup.
- This box is less heavy than that one.
- We need less sugar for this cake.
adverb
A2
property
2
to a smaller extent
In a smaller way or amount than before or than something else.
Gebruikspatroon:
[verb] less than [something else]
Synoniemen
not as much (A phrase expressing the same idea in more words.)
Antoniemen
more (Indicates to a greater extent or degree.)
Woordcombinaties
care less
|cost less
|work less
|sleep less
Thema's
comparison
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- He cares less about appearances now.
- We paid less for our tickets by booking early.
- They spoke less during the meeting.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I eat less than before.
- She works less now.
- They talk less in class.
preposition
B1
relation
3
minus a certain amount
Used to show that you take away an amount from the total number or amount.
Gebruikspatroon:
[total] less [amount]
Synoniemen
minus (Used more often in mathematics; 'less' is more conversational.)
Antoniemen
plus (Indicates addition instead of subtraction.)
Woordcombinaties
ten less two
|fifty dollars less tax
Thema's
mathematics
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- Ten less two equals eight.
- The shirt was $20 less a 10% discount.
- He weighs 5 kilos less than last year.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- Ten less three is seven.
- I paid $50 less $5 for tax.
- She is 2 years less than her brother.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
less
IPA
GB/lˈɛs/
US/lˈɛs/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
less (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (less)
Woordvormen
Adjective
- Base: less
- Comparative: less
- Superlative: least
Woordfamilie
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
Uitdrukkingen
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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- His recovery was nothing less than a miracle.
- The performance was nothing less than perfect.