easy
Use less paint so the paper does not wrinkle.
What does Less mean?
Less means a smaller amount or a lower degree.
Dictionary definition
A smaller amount or degree, not as much, or minus an amount; the comparative form of little.
Example sentences
Less in a sentence
medium
The second route took less time, even though it had more turns.
medium
This puzzle became less difficult after Maya found the pattern.
hard
The total is twenty dollars, less the five-dollar credit.
hard
The sign says the line is for ten items or less, an established amount-like use.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice less in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Commonly confused words
Fewer or less?
Compare the meanings, then choose a word for each new sentence.
Fewer
A smaller number of countable people or things.
In a sentence The final draft contains fewer errors.
Less
A smaller amount or lower degree.
In a sentence The final draft needs less editing time.
Spot the difference Fewer usually compares the number of plural countable things. Less usually compares an amount or degree, while accepted amount-like expressions create important exceptions.
Which word fits?
Choose fewer or less for each blank. Say your answer, then check why it fits.
1After sorting, we had ___ puzzle pieces on the table.
Check answer 1
fewer — Puzzle pieces are separate countable items, so fewer is the usual choice.
2The shorter route takes ___ time.
Check answer 2
less — Time is treated as an amount, so less is the usual choice.
Make it your ownTry the word in a sentence about your day.
Write a sentence with lessQuick practice
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Practice the meaning of Less
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does less usually express?
Less commonly compares amounts, quantities viewed as a whole, or degrees.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses less for an uncountable amount?
Flour is treated as an uncountable amount, so less is the usual choice.
Practice 3
Choose the clearest word: The new instructions are ___ confusing.
Less can modify an adjective to show a lower degree: less confusing.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Less
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WordLess.
Partdeterminer, pronoun, adverb, adjective, preposition.
MeaningLess means a smaller amount or a lower degree.
ExampleExample: Use less paint so the paper does not wrinkle.
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Nice work—you practiced less.
Synonyms
Words like Less
lowerUse for a smaller level, rate, degree, or value.
smallerUse for a reduced amount, extent, or degree in suitable contexts.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice less synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The box held less sand than the bucket," then compare close word choices. Practice less synonyms.
Word family
Less word family
Related words
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Student support
Understand Less
Hint for students
Use less for something measured as an amount or degree. Use fewer for a plural noun whose members you are counting separately.
Common mix-up
Do not replace every less before a number with fewer. Standard English accepts less for time, distance, money, weight, percentages, measurements, and fixed amount-like phrases such as ten items or less.
Try it in class or at home
Students rewrite a short shopping list and experiment report using fewer or less. For each choice, they label the noun count, amount, degree, or measurement, then compare a formal school-style answer with accepted everyday exceptions.
Teacher prompt
Compare “less sand,” “less noisy,” and “five minutes or less.” How does less express an amount, a degree, and an amount-like measurement?
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Learning activities
Practice Less and explore more word games
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