less: Meaning and Definition of

less

Pronunciation: (les), [key]
— adv., a compar. of as superl.
  1. to a smaller extent, amount, or degree: less exact.
  2. most certainly not (often prec. by much or still): He could barely pay for his own lodging, much less for that of his friend.
  3. in any way different; other: He is nothing less than a thief.
  4. by far short of being; not in the least; hardly at all: The job is less than perfect.
—adj.,
—n.
  1. a smaller amount or quantity: Hundreds of soldiers arrived, but less of them remained.
  2. something inferior or not as important: He was tortured for less.
—prep.
  1. minus; without: a year less two days; six dollars less tax.

-less

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. an adjective suffix meaning “without” (childless; peerless), and in adjectives derived from verbs, indicating failure or inability to perform or be performed (resistless; tireless).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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