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

Chapels were added … … and, minus that spire, this ended up being pretty much the cathedral Viollet-le-Duc restored, whose 800-year-old oak rafters went up in flames five years ago. —Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Perfect for anyone who wants a fresh, refined glow minus any sting. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 3 Dec. 2024

Noun

Apart from those two minus points, the WiiM Amp Pro is a positive experience. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

As a matter of perspective, the leaders in plus/minus in East group play are the Magic at +37, Bucks at +29, Knicks at +14, Cavaliers and Bulls at +15 apiece and Hawks at +14. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Nov. 2024

Adjective

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

But the Heat nonetheless will continue to feature ample minus defenders. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Nov. 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