lesser

American  

[les-er] / ˈlɛs ər /

adjective

1. smaller, as in size or importance; inferior.

   a lesser evil.

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adverb

1. less.

lesser British  

/ ˈlɛsə /

adjective

1. not as great in quantity, size, or worth

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Etymology

Origin of lesser

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lasser, lesser; see less, -er ⁴

Compare meaning

How does lesser compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• lesser vs. lessor

Explanation

Use the adjective lesser to describe something that's smaller than or inferior to something else. A lesser singer might sound fine in the context of a large chorus, but a solo performance could be tricky. A young car thief might be charged with a lesser crime because of his age — trespassing instead of larceny, for example. He's also likely to end up with a lesser punishment in that case. Sometimes people talk about "the lesser of two evils," by which they mean the less bad of two bad choices, or describe something as "lesser-known," like a rarely studied poet or an unacknowledged scientist.

Example Sentences

Consider a survey of about 100 contractors from UBS analyst Michael Lesser.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

In 1971, the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran put troops on Abu Musa along with Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb during a period of turmoil sparked by British retreat from the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Ian Lesser believes Donald Trump's focus on Greenland, rather than Alaska, suggests more of an interest in economic security, rather than security in the traditional sense.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

Lesser biographies pick sides; Mangold trusts us to find our own path through the mire, while noting the particular risk of being a wunderkind hoisted up into a deity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2025

Later, her son Arcas was placed beside her and called the Lesser Bear.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• insignificant
• minor