# less

less is part of the Basic English 850.
less is one of the 1000 most common headwords.
 less

## Contents

### Pronunciation

• IPA: /lɛs/
• SAMPA: /lEs/
•  Audio (US) (file)
•  Audio (UK) (file)

## Determiner

 Determiner little Comparative less Superlative least
1. A smaller amount or degree.
He does less of the work than she does.
I want less soup.
It costs less than \$10.
As we build new roads, these small ones will become less important.
He wore a dark colour that was less likely to be seen.

### Related words

 Positive none Comparative less Superlative least
1. If you do ${\displaystyle x}$ less than ${\displaystyle y}$, you do not do ${\displaystyle y}$ as much as ${\displaystyle y}$.
He works less than she does.
My leg really hurts, but my arm hurts less. = "my arm hurts < my leg hurts"
2. If you do something less often, easily, well, etc., you do not do it as often, easily, well, etc.
I go out less often than before.
He plays piano less well than she does.
3. If you something is less likely, expensive, important, etc., it is not as likely, expensive, important, etc.
This book is less expensive than that book. ="the price of this book < the price of that book"
You should go out. Studying is less important.

### Usage

(with adjectives) Less identifies the negative comparative form of all comparable adjectives. For example, with the adjective intelligent, the negative comparative is less intelligent. A similar form is the negative superlative.

## Preposition

 Prepositionless
1. (mathematics) minus
Seven less four is three. ${\displaystyle 7-4=3}$