less

less¹ W1S1 [les] adv

1.) not so much or to a smaller degree

≠ ↑more

▪ Maybe he would worry less if he understood the situation.

▪ In recent years she has appeared in public less frequently.

less (...) than

▪ Tickets were less expensive than I had expected.

much/a lot/far less

▪ Social class matters a lot less than it used to.

not ... any the less/no less

(=not less)

▪ Your second point is no less important.

▪ It's a common problem but this doesn't make it any the less disturbing.

▪ I know he's done a dreadful thing, but I don't love him any the less.

be less a... than a...

(=be not so much like one thing as another)

▪ 'Will you please come with me?' It was less a request than a command.

2.) less than helpful/honest/enthusiastic etc

not at all helpful, honest etc

▪ He was less than enthusiastic about the idea.

3.) less and less

used to say that a quality, situation etc gradually decreases

≠ ↑more and more

▪ As the years went by, he seemed to care less and less about his reputation.

▪ Smoking in the workplace is becoming less and less acceptable.

4.) much/still less

used to say that a greater thing is even less true, likely, or possible than the thing you have just mentioned

▪ These people can scarcely afford to buy food, still less luxury goods like perfume.

▪ I didn't think Dave would ever read a book, much less write one himself.

less ²

less² W1S1 determiner, pron

1.)

a) a smaller amount or not as much

≠ ↑more

▪ Doctors recommend eating less salt.

▪ People today seem to have less time for each other.

▪ Most of us got £4 an hour, but some received even less.

less of

▪ The map covered less of the area than I'd thought.

▪ Flying is less of a risk than driving.

less (...) than

▪ She knows less than I do about it.

less than 10/100 etc

▪ a distance of less than 100 metres

much/a lot less

▪ It costs much less to go by bus.

b) used to mean 'fewer' or 'not as many', although many people think this use is incorrect

≠ ↑more

▪ There were less people there than we expected.

see usage note ↑few

2.) no less

a) used to emphasize that an amount or number is large

no less than

▪ By 1977, the USA was importing no less than 45% of its oil.

b) used to emphasize that the person or thing you are talking about is important or impressive

▪ Our awards were presented by the mayor, no less.

▪ The message came from no less a person than the prime minister.

3.) nothing less than sth

used to emphasize how important, serious, or impressive something is

▪ His appearance in the show was nothing less than a sensation.

4.) less and less

a decreasing amount of something

≠ ↑more and more

▪ They began spending less and less time together.

less and less of

▪ The band was doing less and less of that kind of music.

5.) in less than no time

very quickly or very soon

▪ In less than no time they found that they owed over $10,000.

6.) less of sth

BrE spoken used to tell a child to stop doing something

▪ Less of that noise, please!

less ³

less³ prep formal

taking away or not including a particular amount

▪ What is 121 less 36?

▪ He gave us our money back, less the $2 service charge.