lesser
/ˈlɛsə
/adjective [attributive]
1Not so great or important as the other or the rest: he was convicted of a lesser assault charge they nest mostly in Alaska and to a lesser extent in Siberia
Synonyms
less important, minor, secondary, subsidiary, marginal, ancillary, auxiliary, supplementary, supplemental, peripheral;
inferior, slighter, insignificant, unimportant, petty;
lower, lower-level, lower-grade, second-rate
1.1Lower in rank or quality: you’re looking down your nose at us lesser mortals...
- Perhaps lesser mortals in this field should wait for the hearings?
- He showed no signs of jet lag, again something lesser mortals complain of.
- Instead, it's how they deal with the stuff that would sink a far lesser talent.
Synonyms
subordinate, minor, inferior, second-class, subservient, lowly, humble, servile, menial, mean;
junior
1.2Used in names of animals and plants which are smaller than similar kinds, e.g. lesser spotted woodpecker, lesser celandine.
Phrases
the lesser evil (or the lesser of two evils)
Origin
Middle English: a double comparative, from less + -er2.