less than

Idioms  

1. Not at all or hardly at all. For example, He had a less than favorable view of the matter, or She had a less than adequate grasp of the subject. This expression uses less in the sense of “a smaller quantity, number, or extent than is implied,” a usage dating from about a.d. 1000. The same sense appears in less than no time, a hyperbolic term for a very short time (as in Don't worry, he'll be here in less than no time) that dates from about 1800.

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Example Sentences

While the number of people watching on YouTube peaked at 6.1 million, according to the New York Times — a respectable number for barely-known country musicians and a haggard former rock star like Kid Rock — it was less than 6/100th of the predicted audience for the actual Super Bowl halftime show, which drew well over 133 million in 2025.

From Salon

Yet, less than 1% of publicly reporting companies mention their impacts on biodiversity in their reports.

From BBC

In the process, he becomes the latest high-profile figure to leave Downing Street and the second in less than 24 hours after Morgan McSweeney resigned as Sir Keir's chief of staff.

From BBC

Allan is the fourth communications chief to leave Downing Street in less than a year, and served in the post for five months.

From BBC

Hall weighed less than 3lb and was on life support when his mother refused to have it discontinued.

From BBC