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
Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Is having a goal differential of minus 24, average or below average?
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024
After back-to-back seasons with depreciating value offensively and a negative plus/minus, the 30-year-old was shipped out west to free up $8 million from the cap.
—Tyler Small, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Rich Thompson, Boston Herald, 9 May 2024
And in October, that financial foundation was indeed strong for the economy-powering consumer: Personal income shot up 0.6%, the largest monthly increase since March; and disposable income (income minus taxes) was up 0.7% in nominal terms and 0.4% when taking inflation into account.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for minus 
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Preposition
Survivors and rescuers have had to brave freezing temperatures, as the mercury dropped to a low of minus 18 degrees Celsius or 0 Fahrenheit at night.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Is having a goal differential of minus 24, average or below average?
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Curry ranks eighth in the league in box plus/minus and 13th in value over replacement player — two advanced stats that capture all-around impact.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024
After back-to-back seasons with depreciating value offensively and a negative plus/minus, the 30-year-old was shipped out west to free up $8 million from the cap.
—Tyler Small, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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
And in October, that financial foundation was indeed strong for the economy-powering consumer: Personal income shot up 0.6%, the largest monthly increase since March; and disposable income (income minus taxes) was up 0.7% in nominal terms and 0.4% when taking inflation into account.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 27 Nov. 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 21 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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