English Explanatory Dictionary

minus

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep
  1. Made less or reduced by (followed by an expression of number or quantity).
  2. Without; deprived of.
noun
  1. The minus sign (−).
  2. A negative quantity.
  3. A downside or disadvantage.
adj
  1. Being a negative quantity; pertaining to a deficit or reduction.
  2. That is below zero by (a specified amount) on a scale.
  3. Worse off than before; out of pocket.
  4. Ranking just below (a designated rating).
verb
  1. To subtract.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

mīn-əs /ˈmaɪ.nəs/ En-us-minus.ogg /ˈmɑe.nəs/ [ˈmɑe̯.nəs] /maj.nŭs/

Word forms

minus minuses minusses minusing minussing minused minussed

Etymology

From Middle English mynus, from Latin minus, neuter form of minor, comparative form of parvus (“small, little”), from the Proto-Indo-European root *mey- (“few, small”).

Synonyms

lacking without defect deficiency drawback flaw shortcoming negative below zero

Antonyms

plus plus sign antonym(s) of advantage bonus boon gain

Related words

subtract subtraction

Derived words

ice-minus minus sign T-minus check minus hyphen-minus minus-one minus-plus sign minus pool mix-minus plus minus plus-minus plus-minus method plus-minus sign plus or minus A minus F minus minus-alpha-pinene pi-minus
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