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

Ford stock trades for less than eight times earnings expected over the next 12 months.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

In 2018, Asim Munir became head of Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, but he was removed in less than a year by Khan, who was then prime minister.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

A team of nearly 50 supported operations during the festival as the astronaut roved the grounds at a speed of less than five miles an hour.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Last month, the company shared that its ad-business pilot surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue less than two months after the launch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

I slipped through the door of the simulation room with less than ten seconds to spare.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin