minus

1 of 3

preposition

mi·​nus ˈmī-nəs 

1

: diminished by : less

seven minus four is three

2

: deprived of : without

minus his hat

minus

2 of 3

noun

1

: a negative quantity

2

: a negative quality

especially : drawback

minus

3 of 3

adjective

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

Preposition

• absent
• sans
• wanting
• without

Noun

• debit
• disadvantage
• disbenefit
• downside
• drawback
• handicap
• incommodity
• liability
• negative
• strike

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

Preposition

They're also designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (around minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit). —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024

It’s calculated as revenue minus the cost of goods sold (i.e. the direct costs involved in delivering the product or service like e.g. materials), divided by revenue. —Abdo Riani, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Noun

Yes The Satisfyer Pro 2 is a popular vibrator that has 11 intensities with simple plus and minus buttons, an easy-to-grip handle, and a quiet motor. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 4 Oct. 2024

West took the king and led another trump, and South was headed for a minus. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 14 July 2024

Adjective

Tap either to view your current goal and access a plus and minus symbol on either side with a large Set button underneath. —Andrew Gebhart, PCMAG, 15 July 2024

To break the connection, simultaneously press and hold the center and minus buttons. —PCMAG, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English, from Latin minus, adverb, less, from neuter of minor smaller — more at minor

First Known Use

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing minus

• minus sign
• on the minus side
• plus/minus sign
• plus or minus

Kids 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 noun

1

: a negative quantity

2

: a negative quality

especially : disadvantage entry 1 sense 2b

minus

3 of 3 adjective

1

: mathematically negative

4 plus minus 3

2

: falling low in a specified range

a grade of C minus

Medical Definition

minus

adjective

mi·​nus ˈmī-nəs 

: relating to or being one of the two mating types required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus) compare plus