How do you use "less" in a sentence?

I need to spend less money on takeaways. The journey took less time than I expected. She's been feeling less anxious since starting yoga.

less

Q: What does "less" mean?

A smaller amount or degree; not as much Less is used to indicate a smaller quantity or degree of something. It's the comparative form of 'little' and is typically used with uncountable nouns ('less water') rather than countable ones. Common expressions include 'more or less' (approximately) and 'less and less' (decreasingly).

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: A smaller amount or degree; not as much

更少，较少，不那么

menos

より少ない、それほど〜ない

더 적은, 그다지 ~않은

Less is used to indicate a smaller quantity or degree of something. It's the comparative form of 'little' and is typically used with uncountable nouns ('less water') rather than countable ones. Common expressions include 'more or less' (approximately) and 'less and less' (decreasingly).

「less」用于表示较少的数量或程度。它是「little」的比较级，通常与不可数名词连用（「less water」）。常见表达包括「more or less」（大约）和「less and less」（越来越少）。

«Less» se usa para indicar una cantidad o grado menor de algo. Es la forma comparativa de «little» y normalmente se usa con sustantivos incontables («less water»). Expresiones comunes incluyen «more or less» (aproximadamente) y «less and less» (cada vez menos).

「less」は、より少ない量や程度を示すために使われます。「little」の比較級で、通常不可算名詞と共に使われます（「less water」）。一般的な表現には「more or less」（おおよそ）や「less and less」（ますます少なく）があります。

Less는 더 적은 양이나 정도를 나타낼 때 사용합니다. 'little'의 비교급이며, 보통 불가산 명사와 함께 사용합니다('less water'). 일반적인 표현으로는 'more or less'(대략), 'less and less'(점점 줄어드는) 등이 있습니다.

Examples

I need to spend less money on takeaways.
我需要少花点钱在外卖上。
Necesito gastar menos dinero en comida para llevar.
テイクアウトにお金をあまり使わないようにしなければ。
배달 음식에 돈을 덜 써야겠어요.
The journey took less time than I expected.
旅程比我预期的时间短。
El viaje llevó menos tiempo del que esperaba.
旅は予想より時間がかかりませんでした。
여행은 예상보다 시간이 적게 걸렸습니다.
She's been feeling less anxious since starting yoga.
自从开始练瑜伽以来，她感觉没那么焦虑了。
Se ha sentido menos ansiosa desde que empezó yoga.
ヨガを始めてから、彼女は不安を感じることが少なくなりました。
요가를 시작한 이후로 그녀는 불안감을 덜 느끼고 있습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'lǣssa' meaning 'smaller, fewer', from Proto-Germanic 'laisiz'. The suffix '-less' (as in 'hopeless', 'careless') comes from the same root, meaning 'without' or 'lacking'. The 'less vs fewer' distinction (uncountable vs countable) became a grammar rule only in the 18th century.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal