less

Words with a similar base: less, to_a_lesser_extent

'less'

[less.a.01] as in: (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree

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Examples:
of less importance
less time to spend with the family
a shower uses less water
less than three years old

'less'

[less.s.01] as in: (usually preceded by `no') lower in quality

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Examples:
no less than perfect

'less'

[less.s.02] as in: (nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer

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Examples:
less than three weeks
no less than 50 people attended
in 25 words or less

'less'

[less.r.01] as in: used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

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Examples:
less interesting
less expensive
less quickly

'less'

[less.r.02] as in: comparative of little

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Examples:
she walks less than she should
he works less these days