1. (

• less

) (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree; "of less importance"; "less time to spend with the family"; "a shower uses less water"; "less than three years old" ;

2. (

• less

) (usually preceded by `no') lower in quality; "no less than perfect" ;

3. (

• less

) (nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer; "less than three weeks"; "no less than 50 people attended"; "in 25 words or less" ;

1. (

• less ,
• to_a_lesser_extent

) used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs; "less interesting"; "less expensive"; "less quickly" ;

2. (

• less ,

) comparative of little; "she walks less than she should"; "he works less these days" ;