less

1 /les/ adverb

1 not so much; to a smaller degree: I found the second half of the play less interesting than the first. | We go to Paris less frequently now. | You ought to smoke less.

-opposite more 1 (1)

2 less and less gradually becoming smaller in amount or degree: Our trips became less and less frequent.

3 much/still less formal certainly not: They did not intend even to tell the authorities about the experiments, still less seek their approval.

2 determiner, pronoun 1

a) not as much: You ought to eat less salt. | Most of the workers were paid -5 per day, but some received even less. | Give him less of the medicine if it seems to upset him. | a distance of less than 100 metres

b) used to mean fewer or not as many, but often considered incorrect in this meaning: There were less people there than we expected.

2 no less than used when you are giving a number, to emphasize that it is surprisingly large: The book has been translated into no less than 40 languages.

3 less than helpful/perfect etc not at all helpful, perfect etc: Doctors have been less than successful in treating this condition.

4 in less than no time very quickly or very soon: The debts increased alarmingly, and in less than no time they found that they owed over $10,000.

5 nothing less than used to emphasize how important or serious something really is: His appearance in the show was nothing less than a sensation.

6 no less used to emphasize that the person or thing you are talking about is very important: The building was opened by no less a person than the Prince of Wales. | His case is supported by the Police Complaints Committee no less.

7 less of spoken used to tell someone, usually a child, to stop doing something: Less of that noise, please!

8 not ... any the less just as much: I know he's done a dreadful thing, but I don't love him any the less.

3 preposition taking away or not counting a particular amount: What is 121 less 36? | He gave us our money back less the $2 service charge.