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

In many plans, participants can borrow up to the lesser of 50% of their vested account balance or $50,000, subject to plan rules.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

It could have come to life as a lesser kind of Ferrari, a diminished derivative of one of the company’s mainline GT cars, with a turbocharged V8 under the hood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The world and the sport will be a far lesser place without him.''

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Her friends share the same disability, though to greater and lesser degrees.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Analogously, the great sachems had to please or bully the lesser, lest by the defection of small communities they lose stature.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• insignificant
• minor