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Definition of less determiner from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

  

less

 determiner,pronoun
determiner, pronoun
NAmE//lɛs//
 
 
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  •  used with noncountable nouns to mean “a smaller amount of” less butter/time/importance He was advised to smoke fewer cigarettes and drink less beer. We have less to worry about now. It is less of a problem than I expected. The victory was nothing less than a miracle.
    • People often use less with countable nouns:There were less cars on the road then.This is not considered correct by some people, and fewer should be used instead.    Idioms
    less and less
     
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    smaller and smaller amounts As time passed, she saw less and less of all her old friends at home.
    less is more (saying)
     
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    include only what is essential in order to create an effective product or result His simple, elegant paintings reflect his principle that less is more.
    no less (often ironic)
     
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    used to suggest that something is surprising or impressive She's having lunch with the director, no less.
    no less than…
     
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    used to emphasize a large amount The guide contains details of no less than 115 hiking routes.
    See less in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
    Check pronunciation: less

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