mi·nus
ˈmī-nəs 
1
: algebraically negative
a minus quantity
minus ten degrees
2
: having a negative quality
3
: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (such as a fungus)
4
: falling low in a specified range
B minus
Synonyms
Examples of minus in a Sentence
Preposition
He left the restaurant minus his hat.
a fruit that looks like a peach, minus the fuzz
Noun
She decided that the pluses of owning a home outweighed the minuses.
Some employers see a lack of experience as a real minus.
Put the minus to the left of the number.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
In Wisconsin, residents of Green Bay awoke to a temperature of minus 12 degrees.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
But there may be ways to design and manage remote work—e.g., scheduling office days so everyone is there and making the most of employees' time together—that can help balance the pluses and minuses of remote work.
—Carine Harb, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Sorry, Charlie Montgomery fielded a number of inquiries about the disturbing subpar play of defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who logged a below average 18:36 minutes and was a minus two in the loss.
—Rich Thompson, Boston Herald, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for minus 
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Preposition
The National Weather Service warned night time temperatures would fall below zero in many areas, and wind chills of minus 20 degrees were possible.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
In Wisconsin, residents of Green Bay awoke to a temperature of minus 12 degrees.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
Though the cold won’t be record-shattering in the area, subzero windchills will reach a dangerous minus 20 to minus 25 degrees.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
But there may be ways to design and manage remote work—e.g., scheduling office days so everyone is there and making the most of employees' time together—that can help balance the pluses and minuses of remote work.
—Carine Harb, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Cold Weather Advisory Anglin said a cold weather advisory is issued, for example, around the minus 30 degrees mark for the Northern Plains.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Sorry, Charlie Montgomery fielded a number of inquiries about the disturbing subpar play of defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who logged a below average 18:36 minutes and was a minus two in the loss.
—Rich Thompson, Boston Herald, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for minus
Dictionary Entries Near minus
Cite this Entry
“Minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minus. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minus
1 of 3 preposition
mi·nus
ˈmī-nəs
1
: with the subtraction of : less
7 minus 4 is 3
2
: without entry 1 sense 3a
minus his hat
minus
2 of 3 noun1
: a negative quantity
2
: a negative quality
especially
: disadvantage entry 1 sense 2b
minus
3 of 3 adjective1
: mathematically negative
4 plus minus 3
2
: falling low in a specified range
a grade of C minus
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