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

Examples of plus or minus in a Sentence

Adverb I have plus or minus five dollars in change.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The poll was funded in part by the Los Angeles Times, and the margin of error was plus or minus two or three percentage points. Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 Trump's lead was within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 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 See all Example Sentences for plus or minus 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plus or minus was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near plus or minus

Cite this Entry

“Plus or minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plus%20or%20minus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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