| 单词 | less | 
| 释义 | less1 adverbless2 determiner, pronounless3 prepositionlessless1 /les/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb    Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIESThesaurus 
 
 Longman Language Activatora smaller amount or number► lessCollocations  a smaller amount of something. Less  is used with uncountable nouns: · I earn less money now than I did then.· Surgery patients now spend much less time in the hospital.· Statistics show that nowadays people drink less beer and smoke fewer cigarettes than they used to.less than: · He always travels by bus because it costs less than travelling by train.· Clive knows even less than I do about this business.· It's a bit less than a mile from here to the station.far less/a lot less: · As a result of these improvements, the car uses far less fuel.less of: · Studies show that people who receive medication when their pain first starts need less of it than people who wait longer.less and less (=when an amount keeps getting smaller as time passes): · As the drought became worse, there was less and less food available.► fewer  a smaller number of people or things. Fewer  is used with countable nouns: · Schools in the suburbs have fewer discipline problems and better student attitudes.· Spending cuts will mean fewer social workers.fewer than: · No reservations are needed for groups of fewer than 15.far fewer/a lot fewer: · There were far fewer women at the conference this year than last.fewer and fewer: · Since 1985, fewer and fewer people have been drinking decaffeinated coffee, and the trend shows no signs of halting.► not as much/not so much  less than an amount. Not as much  and  not so much  are used with uncountable nouns.: · There's a lot of snow on the upper slopes of the mountain, but there's not so much down here.not as much/not so much as: · The Chinese don't eat as much meat as Americans do.· Jim worked hard, but didn't earn as much money as he wanted.not as much/not so much of: · I didn't eat as much of the fish as Al, but I still got sick.► not as many/not so many  fewer than a number of people or things. Not as many  and  not so many  are used with countable nouns: · "Last year our gift shop did very well," said Amy. "But this year we haven't had as many customers coming through the door."· Law firms aren't hiring as many associates this year.· I don't own nearly as many clothes as my sister.· If I get milk and orange juice from the milkman, I don't need to make as many trips to the grocery store.► lower  less than another number or level - use this about prices, wages, temperatures, grades, and other things that can be measured on a scale from high to low: · Foreign workers have fewer rights and get lower wages.· The program is broadcast in the morning, a time when advertising rates are much lower.lower than: · I got lower grades than the other students in my class.► be in the/a minority  if people of a particular type are in the minority  in a particular group, they form less than half of the total group: · In the boardrooms of most big corporations, women are in the minority.· Quentin's supporters were clearly in a minority as the City Council heard arguments for his dismissal.less than a number or amount► less than  · Some of the miners were earning less than $2 an hour.· There she was, less than ten feet away from me, walking past with the other guests of honour.for less than · The average income here is far less than the national average.► under  less than a particular age, price, amount, or number: · Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult.· Where can you get a meal for under $5?well under: · The stock market's highest point this week was well under what was predicted.► below  less than a particular temperature, speed, limit, or level: · At night, the temperature is often below freezing.fall below something (=become less than): · The inflation rate has fallen below 6%.far/well below: · The school's test scores are far below average.► lower  a lower  figure, amount, rate, level etc is less than the one you have already mentioned: · They rejected our estimate and suggested a lower figure.· There's no doubt that lower energy prices are having some short-term impact on the stock market.lower than: · The divorce rate in Japan is much lower than in the U.S.► within  at some point that is less than a particular period of time, distance, or limit: · The top prize is a trip to Hawaii, which must be taken within a year of the prize drawing.· Pupils living within two miles of the school are expected to pay their own bus fares.► minus : minus five/ten/twenty etc use this about numbers that are less than zero or temperatures that are below zero degrees: · When we take away points for hitting obstacles, you get a final score of minus seven.· Tonight's low temperatures could reach minus twenty degrees in some areas.less interesting, expensive, difficult, exciting etc► not as  · Their first album sold over a million copies, but the second one wasn't as popular.not as ... as · It's not as cold as it was yesterday.· The beef was good, but it wasn't as tender as the chicken.· "How was the test?" "Not as bad as I expected."► less  · Of course, it would be less expensive to use frozen fish.less ... than · I want something less formal than a traditional wedding dress.less and less (=becoming less interesting, expensive etc all the time) · With the growth of telecommunications, the location of a company's headquarters is becoming less and less important.when something happens less than before► less : less than · This type of problem still occurs, but less than it did in the past.a lot less · Since we got the car, we walk a lot less than we used to.less and less (=when something keeps getting less as time passes) · He seemed to care less and less about the band, and eventually decided to leave.► not as much  · Stan probably won't need to travel as much in his new job.not as much as · "Do you still go swimming?" "Not as much as I used to."when prices, numbers etc become less► go down/come down  to become less: · Attendance at the school's basketball games has gone down significantly in the last few years.· I'm hoping the price will come down if I wait a while.► fall/drop  to become less, especially by a large amount: · Sales have fallen dramatically in Houston and Toronto.fall/drop to: · At night, the temperature drops to -20°C.fall/drop from something to something: · Profits fell from £98.5 million to £76 million.► decrease  to become less - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: · Experts say that the time parents spend with their children is decreasing.decrease to: · The speed of rotation gradually decreases to zero.► decline  a gradual decrease in the number or amount of something good or important so that the situation becomes worse: · Firms with large debts may not have the financial strength to survive a prolonged sales decline or a recession.decline in: · We can expect a further decline in job vacancies.► reduction  when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: · New production methods led to a cost reduction of about 50 percent.reduction in: · Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution.· a reduction in working hours► cut  a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially when talking about politics or business: cut in: · Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes): · The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.· Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.► plummet/plunge  to drop very rapidly and by a large amount: · As soon as the sun went down, the temperature plummeted.· The drought has caused the price of hay to soar, and the price of cattle has plummeted.plummet/plunge 20 degrees/thirty points etc: · The stock market plunged 30 points when the news was announced.► taper off  if a number or the amount of activity happening tapers off , it gradually decreases: · Towards sunset, the rain began to taper off.► dwindle  if supplies or numbers of something dwindle , they gradually decrease: · The country's foreign currency reserves have dwindled over the past few years.dwindle to: · The original platoon of 30 men had dwindled to 12.► slide  if a price or value slides  it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems - used especially in news reports: · Prices will continue to slide unless production is reduced.· The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.► take a nosedive  also nosedive informal if the price or value of something takes a nosedive , it becomes lower very quickly and causes problems. If an economy takes a nosedive  it become worse very quickly: · Since January, sales of cars and trucks, including minivans, have nosedived.· Shares on the stock exchange took another nosedive Friday.when feelings, qualities etc become less strong► lessen  · Over time, the pain usually lessens, but this may take several months.· My love for the countryside has never lessened.► subside  if something such as fear, anxiety, trouble or laughter subsides , it gradually decreases: · After the rebel leaders were captured or killed, the trouble subsided.· The speaker puffed on his cigar while he waited for the laughter to subside.► wane  if  something such as people's liking or support for something or someone wanes , that feeling gradually becomes slightly less and will probably continue to decrease: · His popularity in the state began to wane almost immediately after the election.· Some countries' taste for purely American pop culture has waned.► recede  if a possibility or chance recedes , it gradually becomes less and less likely: · Since Donald lost his job, the hopes of our buying a house have receded even further.· As the threat of nuclear war receded, other things began to worry us.approximately correct► roughly  · Yes, that's roughly the right answer.· As long as you know roughly how to do it, that's fine.► more or less  if something is more or less  correct, it is good or correct enough to be accepted even if it is not perfect: · What she says is more or less true.· "Did they have what you were looking for at the hardware store?"  "Yes, more or less."► kind of/sort of  informal spoken said when you think something is approximately right or true, but not exactly: · It's kind of circular-shaped, but not exactly.· "Did you finish your homework?" "Well, sort of."► be in the right ballpark  informal if you are in the right ballpark , what you have guessed is not exactly correct, but is close to being correct: · "I'd think a project like this would take at least five years to complete." "Not quite as long as that, but you're in the right ballpark."when something is almost true► almost/nearly  · His hair was almost white.· The moon was almost full that night.· Persuading Paul to change his mind is nearly impossible.► not quite  not completely, but almost - use this to say that something is not true, but it is almost true: · That's a good answer but it's not quite correct.· It's not quite red, it's more like a maroon color.· The orbits of the planets are almost circular, but not quite.► practically/virtually  very nearly: · The cupboard was practically empty.· Carbon fibre tennis racquets are virtually unbreakable.· She looks practically the same as his last girlfriend.► more or less/just about/pretty much  especially spoken very nearly  - use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· Until the 18th century, the region remained more or less independent.► be close  if a guess at a number, amount etc is close , it is almost correct but not exactly right: · "I reckon he's about 65." "You're close - he's 67." COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY► much/a lot/far lessPhrases  Social class matters a lot less than it used to.  (=not less)► be less a ... than a ...  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 not so much like one thing as another)COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► less advantaged  ‘Will you please come with me?’ It was less a request than a command.  Some of the boys come from less advantaged backgrounds.  Can we have a bit less noise, please?  They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought.  I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is.  You could at least say that you’re sorry.  (=a bad thing, but not as bad as something else)· She knew that she couldn't leave the children, so she opted for the lesser evil and stayed.► something happens when you least expect it · Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.► to a lesser extent  (also to less extent) (=less)· The same is true for women, though to a lesser extent.► far more/less  I enjoyed it far more than I expected.  We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers.  Her headaches are becoming less frequent.  Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. · The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.► have more/less luck · I hope you have more luck in the next competition.► higher/larger/less etc than normal  The journey took longer than normal.  (=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.► a lesser offence  (=one that is not as serious as another offence)· For rioting you can receive ten years in prison, while for the lesser offence of violent disorder you can receive five years in prison.► or at least  We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.  (=not perfect)· So many excellent writers, for example Byron and Keats, were less than perfect spellers.► see more/less of somebody  (=see someone more or less often)► be more so/less so/too much so  They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London.  The band is popular and likely to become more so.  Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so.  Many pensioners are less well-off  (=have less money) than they used to be. PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► less than helpful/honest/enthusiastic etc1not so much or to a smaller degree  OPP  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.3less and less used to say that a quality, situation etc gradually decreases  OPP  more and more:  As the years went by, he seemed to care less and less about his reputation.  Smoking is becoming less and less acceptable.4much/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. less1 adverbless2 determiner, pronounless3 prepositionlessless2 ●●● S1 W1 determiner, pronoun    Thesaurus Longman Language Activatora smaller amount or number► lessCollocations  a smaller amount of something. Less  is used with uncountable nouns: · I earn less money now than I did then.· Surgery patients now spend much less time in the hospital.· Statistics show that nowadays people drink less beer and smoke fewer cigarettes than they used to.less than: · He always travels by bus because it costs less than travelling by train.· Clive knows even less than I do about this business.· It's a bit less than a mile from here to the station.far less/a lot less: · As a result of these improvements, the car uses far less fuel.less of: · Studies show that people who receive medication when their pain first starts need less of it than people who wait longer.less and less (=when an amount keeps getting smaller as time passes): · As the drought became worse, there was less and less food available.► fewer  a smaller number of people or things. Fewer  is used with countable nouns: · Schools in the suburbs have fewer discipline problems and better student attitudes.· Spending cuts will mean fewer social workers.fewer than: · No reservations are needed for groups of fewer than 15.far fewer/a lot fewer: · There were far fewer women at the conference this year than last.fewer and fewer: · Since 1985, fewer and fewer people have been drinking decaffeinated coffee, and the trend shows no signs of halting.► not as much/not so much  less than an amount. Not as much  and  not so much  are used with uncountable nouns.: · There's a lot of snow on the upper slopes of the mountain, but there's not so much down here.not as much/not so much as: · The Chinese don't eat as much meat as Americans do.· Jim worked hard, but didn't earn as much money as he wanted.not as much/not so much of: · I didn't eat as much of the fish as Al, but I still got sick.► not as many/not so many  fewer than a number of people or things. Not as many  and  not so many  are used with countable nouns: · "Last year our gift shop did very well," said Amy. "But this year we haven't had as many customers coming through the door."· Law firms aren't hiring as many associates this year.· I don't own nearly as many clothes as my sister.· If I get milk and orange juice from the milkman, I don't need to make as many trips to the grocery store.► lower  less than another number or level - use this about prices, wages, temperatures, grades, and other things that can be measured on a scale from high to low: · Foreign workers have fewer rights and get lower wages.· The program is broadcast in the morning, a time when advertising rates are much lower.lower than: · I got lower grades than the other students in my class.► be in the/a minority  if people of a particular type are in the minority  in a particular group, they form less than half of the total group: · In the boardrooms of most big corporations, women are in the minority.· Quentin's supporters were clearly in a minority as the City Council heard arguments for his dismissal.less than a number or amount► less than  · Some of the miners were earning less than $2 an hour.· There she was, less than ten feet away from me, walking past with the other guests of honour.for less than · The average income here is far less than the national average.► under  less than a particular age, price, amount, or number: · Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult.· Where can you get a meal for under $5?well under: · The stock market's highest point this week was well under what was predicted.► below  less than a particular temperature, speed, limit, or level: · At night, the temperature is often below freezing.fall below something (=become less than): · The inflation rate has fallen below 6%.far/well below: · The school's test scores are far below average.► lower  a lower  figure, amount, rate, level etc is less than the one you have already mentioned: · They rejected our estimate and suggested a lower figure.· There's no doubt that lower energy prices are having some short-term impact on the stock market.lower than: · The divorce rate in Japan is much lower than in the U.S.► within  at some point that is less than a particular period of time, distance, or limit: · The top prize is a trip to Hawaii, which must be taken within a year of the prize drawing.· Pupils living within two miles of the school are expected to pay their own bus fares.► minus : minus five/ten/twenty etc use this about numbers that are less than zero or temperatures that are below zero degrees: · When we take away points for hitting obstacles, you get a final score of minus seven.· Tonight's low temperatures could reach minus twenty degrees in some areas.less interesting, expensive, difficult, exciting etc► not as  · Their first album sold over a million copies, but the second one wasn't as popular.not as ... as · It's not as cold as it was yesterday.· The beef was good, but it wasn't as tender as the chicken.· "How was the test?" "Not as bad as I expected."► less  · Of course, it would be less expensive to use frozen fish.less ... than · I want something less formal than a traditional wedding dress.less and less (=becoming less interesting, expensive etc all the time) · With the growth of telecommunications, the location of a company's headquarters is becoming less and less important.when something happens less than before► less : less than · This type of problem still occurs, but less than it did in the past.a lot less · Since we got the car, we walk a lot less than we used to.less and less (=when something keeps getting less as time passes) · He seemed to care less and less about the band, and eventually decided to leave.► not as much  · Stan probably won't need to travel as much in his new job.not as much as · "Do you still go swimming?" "Not as much as I used to."when prices, numbers etc become less► go down/come down  to become less: · Attendance at the school's basketball games has gone down significantly in the last few years.· I'm hoping the price will come down if I wait a while.► fall/drop  to become less, especially by a large amount: · Sales have fallen dramatically in Houston and Toronto.fall/drop to: · At night, the temperature drops to -20°C.fall/drop from something to something: · Profits fell from £98.5 million to £76 million.► decrease  to become less - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: · Experts say that the time parents spend with their children is decreasing.decrease to: · The speed of rotation gradually decreases to zero.► decline  a gradual decrease in the number or amount of something good or important so that the situation becomes worse: · Firms with large debts may not have the financial strength to survive a prolonged sales decline or a recession.decline in: · We can expect a further decline in job vacancies.► reduction  when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: · New production methods led to a cost reduction of about 50 percent.reduction in: · Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution.· a reduction in working hours► cut  a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially when talking about politics or business: cut in: · Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes): · The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.· Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.► plummet/plunge  to drop very rapidly and by a large amount: · As soon as the sun went down, the temperature plummeted.· The drought has caused the price of hay to soar, and the price of cattle has plummeted.plummet/plunge 20 degrees/thirty points etc: · The stock market plunged 30 points when the news was announced.► taper off  if a number or the amount of activity happening tapers off , it gradually decreases: · Towards sunset, the rain began to taper off.► dwindle  if supplies or numbers of something dwindle , they gradually decrease: · The country's foreign currency reserves have dwindled over the past few years.dwindle to: · The original platoon of 30 men had dwindled to 12.► slide  if a price or value slides  it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems - used especially in news reports: · Prices will continue to slide unless production is reduced.· The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.► take a nosedive  also nosedive informal if the price or value of something takes a nosedive , it becomes lower very quickly and causes problems. If an economy takes a nosedive  it become worse very quickly: · Since January, sales of cars and trucks, including minivans, have nosedived.· Shares on the stock exchange took another nosedive Friday.when feelings, qualities etc become less strong► lessen  · Over time, the pain usually lessens, but this may take several months.· My love for the countryside has never lessened.► subside  if something such as fear, anxiety, trouble or laughter subsides , it gradually decreases: · After the rebel leaders were captured or killed, the trouble subsided.· The speaker puffed on his cigar while he waited for the laughter to subside.► wane  if  something such as people's liking or support for something or someone wanes , that feeling gradually becomes slightly less and will probably continue to decrease: · His popularity in the state began to wane almost immediately after the election.· Some countries' taste for purely American pop culture has waned.► recede  if a possibility or chance recedes , it gradually becomes less and less likely: · Since Donald lost his job, the hopes of our buying a house have receded even further.· As the threat of nuclear war receded, other things began to worry us. COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY► less than 10/100 etcPhrases  a distance of less than 100 metres  It costs much less to go by bus.  The message came from no less a person than the prime minister.  Some of the boys come from less advantaged backgrounds.  Can we have a bit less noise, please?  They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought.  I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is.  You could at least say that you’re sorry.  (=a bad thing, but not as bad as something else)· She knew that she couldn't leave the children, so she opted for the lesser evil and stayed.► something happens when you least expect it · Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.► to a lesser extent  (also to less extent) (=less)· The same is true for women, though to a lesser extent.► far more/less  I enjoyed it far more than I expected.  We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers.  Her headaches are becoming less frequent.  Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. · The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.► have more/less luck · I hope you have more luck in the next competition.► higher/larger/less etc than normal  The journey took longer than normal.  (=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.► a lesser offence  (=one that is not as serious as another offence)· For rioting you can receive ten years in prison, while for the lesser offence of violent disorder you can receive five years in prison.► or at least  We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.  (=not perfect)· So many excellent writers, for example Byron and Keats, were less than perfect spellers.► see more/less of somebody  (=see someone more or less often)► be more so/less so/too much so  They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London.  The band is popular and likely to become more so.  Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so.  Many pensioners are less well-off  (=have less money) than they used to be. PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► less of something► no less1a smaller amount or not as much  OPP  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 metresmuch/a lot less  It costs much less to go by bus.USAGE: Less, fewer• You use less before an uncountable noun: · These light bulbs use less electricity.• You use fewer before a plural noun: · There were fewer cars in those days. ✗Don't say:  There were less cars in those days. Although you will hear people say this in everyday spoken English, it is considered to be incorrect.2 no less a)used to emphasize that an amount or number is largeno 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.3nothing less than something used to emphasize how important, serious, or impressive something is:  His appearance in the show was nothing less than a sensation.4less and less a decreasing amount of something  OPP  more and more:  They began spending less and less time together.less of  The band was doing less and less of that kind of music.5in less than no time very quickly or very soon:  In less than no time they found that they owed over $10,000.6less of something British English spoken used to tell a child to stop doing something:  Less of that noise, please! less1 adverbless2 determiner, pronounless3 prepositionlessless3 preposition formal    Thesaurus Longman Language Activatora smaller amount or number► lessCollocations  a smaller amount of something. Less  is used with uncountable nouns: · I earn less money now than I did then.· Surgery patients now spend much less time in the hospital.· Statistics show that nowadays people drink less beer and smoke fewer cigarettes than they used to.less than: · He always travels by bus because it costs less than travelling by train.· Clive knows even less than I do about this business.· It's a bit less than a mile from here to the station.far less/a lot less: · As a result of these improvements, the car uses far less fuel.less of: · Studies show that people who receive medication when their pain first starts need less of it than people who wait longer.less and less (=when an amount keeps getting smaller as time passes): · As the drought became worse, there was less and less food available.► fewer  a smaller number of people or things. Fewer  is used with countable nouns: · Schools in the suburbs have fewer discipline problems and better student attitudes.· Spending cuts will mean fewer social workers.fewer than: · No reservations are needed for groups of fewer than 15.far fewer/a lot fewer: · There were far fewer women at the conference this year than last.fewer and fewer: · Since 1985, fewer and fewer people have been drinking decaffeinated coffee, and the trend shows no signs of halting.► not as much/not so much  less than an amount. Not as much  and  not so much  are used with uncountable nouns.: · There's a lot of snow on the upper slopes of the mountain, but there's not so much down here.not as much/not so much as: · The Chinese don't eat as much meat as Americans do.· Jim worked hard, but didn't earn as much money as he wanted.not as much/not so much of: · I didn't eat as much of the fish as Al, but I still got sick.► not as many/not so many  fewer than a number of people or things. Not as many  and  not so many  are used with countable nouns: · "Last year our gift shop did very well," said Amy. "But this year we haven't had as many customers coming through the door."· Law firms aren't hiring as many associates this year.· I don't own nearly as many clothes as my sister.· If I get milk and orange juice from the milkman, I don't need to make as many trips to the grocery store.► lower  less than another number or level - use this about prices, wages, temperatures, grades, and other things that can be measured on a scale from high to low: · Foreign workers have fewer rights and get lower wages.· The program is broadcast in the morning, a time when advertising rates are much lower.lower than: · I got lower grades than the other students in my class.► be in the/a minority  if people of a particular type are in the minority  in a particular group, they form less than half of the total group: · In the boardrooms of most big corporations, women are in the minority.· Quentin's supporters were clearly in a minority as the City Council heard arguments for his dismissal.less than a number or amount► less than  · Some of the miners were earning less than $2 an hour.· There she was, less than ten feet away from me, walking past with the other guests of honour.for less than · The average income here is far less than the national average.► under  less than a particular age, price, amount, or number: · Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult.· Where can you get a meal for under $5?well under: · The stock market's highest point this week was well under what was predicted.► below  less than a particular temperature, speed, limit, or level: · At night, the temperature is often below freezing.fall below something (=become less than): · The inflation rate has fallen below 6%.far/well below: · The school's test scores are far below average.► lower  a lower  figure, amount, rate, level etc is less than the one you have already mentioned: · They rejected our estimate and suggested a lower figure.· There's no doubt that lower energy prices are having some short-term impact on the stock market.lower than: · The divorce rate in Japan is much lower than in the U.S.► within  at some point that is less than a particular period of time, distance, or limit: · The top prize is a trip to Hawaii, which must be taken within a year of the prize drawing.· Pupils living within two miles of the school are expected to pay their own bus fares.► minus : minus five/ten/twenty etc use this about numbers that are less than zero or temperatures that are below zero degrees: · When we take away points for hitting obstacles, you get a final score of minus seven.· Tonight's low temperatures could reach minus twenty degrees in some areas.less interesting, expensive, difficult, exciting etc► not as  · Their first album sold over a million copies, but the second one wasn't as popular.not as ... as · It's not as cold as it was yesterday.· The beef was good, but it wasn't as tender as the chicken.· "How was the test?" "Not as bad as I expected."► less  · Of course, it would be less expensive to use frozen fish.less ... than · I want something less formal than a traditional wedding dress.less and less (=becoming less interesting, expensive etc all the time) · With the growth of telecommunications, the location of a company's headquarters is becoming less and less important.when something happens less than before► less : less than · This type of problem still occurs, but less than it did in the past.a lot less · Since we got the car, we walk a lot less than we used to.less and less (=when something keeps getting less as time passes) · He seemed to care less and less about the band, and eventually decided to leave.► not as much  · Stan probably won't need to travel as much in his new job.not as much as · "Do you still go swimming?" "Not as much as I used to."when prices, numbers etc become less► go down/come down  to become less: · Attendance at the school's basketball games has gone down significantly in the last few years.· I'm hoping the price will come down if I wait a while.► fall/drop  to become less, especially by a large amount: · Sales have fallen dramatically in Houston and Toronto.fall/drop to: · At night, the temperature drops to -20°C.fall/drop from something to something: · Profits fell from £98.5 million to £76 million.► decrease  to become less - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: · Experts say that the time parents spend with their children is decreasing.decrease to: · The speed of rotation gradually decreases to zero.► decline  a gradual decrease in the number or amount of something good or important so that the situation becomes worse: · Firms with large debts may not have the financial strength to survive a prolonged sales decline or a recession.decline in: · We can expect a further decline in job vacancies.► reduction  when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: · New production methods led to a cost reduction of about 50 percent.reduction in: · Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution.· a reduction in working hours► cut  a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially when talking about politics or business: cut in: · Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes): · The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.· Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.► plummet/plunge  to drop very rapidly and by a large amount: · As soon as the sun went down, the temperature plummeted.· The drought has caused the price of hay to soar, and the price of cattle has plummeted.plummet/plunge 20 degrees/thirty points etc: · The stock market plunged 30 points when the news was announced.► taper off  if a number or the amount of activity happening tapers off , it gradually decreases: · Towards sunset, the rain began to taper off.► dwindle  if supplies or numbers of something dwindle , they gradually decrease: · The country's foreign currency reserves have dwindled over the past few years.dwindle to: · The original platoon of 30 men had dwindled to 12.► slide  if a price or value slides  it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems - used especially in news reports: · Prices will continue to slide unless production is reduced.· The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.► take a nosedive  also nosedive informal if the price or value of something takes a nosedive , it becomes lower very quickly and causes problems. If an economy takes a nosedive  it become worse very quickly: · Since January, sales of cars and trucks, including minivans, have nosedived.· Shares on the stock exchange took another nosedive Friday.when feelings, qualities etc become less strong► lessen  · Over time, the pain usually lessens, but this may take several months.· My love for the countryside has never lessened.► subside  if something such as fear, anxiety, trouble or laughter subsides , it gradually decreases: · After the rebel leaders were captured or killed, the trouble subsided.· The speaker puffed on his cigar while he waited for the laughter to subside.► wane  if  something such as people's liking or support for something or someone wanes , that feeling gradually becomes slightly less and will probably continue to decrease: · His popularity in the state began to wane almost immediately after the election.· Some countries' taste for purely American pop culture has waned.► recede  if a possibility or chance recedes , it gradually becomes less and less likely: · Since Donald lost his job, the hopes of our buying a house have receded even further.· As the threat of nuclear war receded, other things began to worry us. COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► less advantagedPhrases  Some of the boys come from less advantaged backgrounds.  Can we have a bit less noise, please?  They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought.  I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is.  You could at least say that you’re sorry.  (=a bad thing, but not as bad as something else)· She knew that she couldn't leave the children, so she opted for the lesser evil and stayed.► something happens when you least expect it · Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.► to a lesser extent  (also to less extent) (=less)· The same is true for women, though to a lesser extent.► far more/less  I enjoyed it far more than I expected.  We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers.  Her headaches are becoming less frequent.  Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. · The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.► have more/less luck · I hope you have more luck in the next competition.► higher/larger/less etc than normal  The journey took longer than normal.  (=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.► a lesser offence  (=one that is not as serious as another offence)· For rioting you can receive ten years in prison, while for the lesser offence of violent disorder you can receive five years in prison.► or at least  We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.  (=not perfect)· So many excellent writers, for example Byron and Keats, were less than perfect spellers.► see more/less of somebody  (=see someone more or less often)► be more so/less so/too much so  They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London.  The band is popular and likely to become more so.  Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so.  Many pensioners are less well-off  (=have less money) than they used to be. PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► somebody couldn’t care less► the less fortunatetaking away or not including a particular amount  SYN  minus: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  What is 121 less 36?  He gave us our money back, less the $2 service charge. | 
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