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View synonyms for

minus

[ mahy-nuhs ]

preposition

  1. less by the subtraction of; decreased by:

    Ten minus six is four.

  2. lacking or without:

    a book minus its title page.



adjective

  1. involving or noting subtraction.
  2. algebraically negative:

    a minus quantity.

  3. less than; just below in quality:

    to get a C minus on a test.

  4. Informal. having negative qualities or characteristics; inferior.
  5. Mycology. (in heterothallic fungi) designating, in the absence of morphological differentiation, one of the two strains of mycelia that unite in the sexual process.

noun

  1. a minus quantity.
  2. a deficiency or loss.
  3. Informal. a person or thing with no apparent abilities, usefulness, etc.:

    The last applicant was a definite minus.

minus

/ ˈɪə /

preposition

  1. reduced by the subtraction of

    four minus two (written 4 – 2)

  2. informal.
    deprived of; lacking

    minus the trimmings, that hat would be ordinary

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

    1. indicating or involving subtraction

      a minus sign

    2. Alsonegative having a value or designating a quantity less than zero

      a minus number

  1. on the negative part of a scale or coordinate axis

    a value of minus 40°C

  2. involving a disadvantage, harm, etc

    a minus factor

  3. postpositive education slightly below the standard of a particular grade

    he received a B minus for his essay

  4. botany designating the strain of a fungus that can only undergo sexual reproduction with a plus strain
  5. denoting a negative electric charge
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. short for minus sign
  2. a negative quantity
  3. a disadvantage, loss, or deficit
  4. informal.
    something detrimental or negative
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of minus1

1300–50; Middle English < Latin, neuter of minor less; minor
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Word History and Origins

Origin of minus1

C15: from Latin, neuter of minor
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He came back upset — and minus his wedding ring, a custom-made band that he loved dearly.

From

Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, came into the day at two over par but finished in solid position at minus-4 after shooting a sizzling 66, his best round ever at Augusta National.

From

Temperatures in Aboyne rose from a minus 3.2C overnight - the coldest recorded in Scotland - before becoming the warmest place later in the day.

From

Perhaps most crucially, “Holy Cow” keeps its sights set on being a study in fast-tracked adulthood, minus judgment or sentimentality.

From

The family – minus Ben's little sister, who is too young to join the discussion – are gathered in their living room to dissect the smash-hit Netflix drama Adolescence, which they watched the previous evening.

From

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Minuitminuscule