plus or minus

1 of 2

adjective

: indicating a quantity whose algebraically positive and negative values serve to bracket a range of values either alone or when added to and subtracted from a given number

measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 3 feet

plus or minus

2 of 2

adverb

: more or less, approximately

a dance for singles plus or minus age 30

Synonyms

Adverb

• about
• approximately
• around
• like
• more or less
• much
• near
• roughly
• say
• some

Examples of plus or minus in a Sentence

Adverb

I have plus or minus five dollars in change.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, including the design effect, for the full sample and registered voters alike. —Gary Langer, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024

The poll of 1,000 likely voters, taken by landline and cellphone Oct. 14-18, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Adverb

The survey of 1,582 adults, taken March 16-20 online has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7%. —Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023

The poll surveyed 805 adults via telephone interviews from March 16-20, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percentage points. —Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1849, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

plus or minus

adjective

: indicating a quantity whose positive and negative values establish the limits of a range of values

measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 1 gram