minus

[mahy-nuhs]

preposition

1. less by the subtraction of; decreased by.

   Ten minus six is four.

2. lacking or without.

   a book minus its title page.

adjective

1. involving or noting subtraction.

2. algebraically negative.

   a minus quantity.

3. less than; just below in quality.

   to get a C minus on a test.

4. Informal.,  having negative qualities or characteristics; inferior.

5. Mycology.,  (in heterothallic fungi) designating, in the absence of morphological differentiation, one of the two strains of mycelia that unite in the sexual process.

noun

1. minus sign.

2. a minus quantity.

3. a deficiency or loss.

4. Informal.,  a person or thing with no apparent abilities, usefulness, etc..

   The last applicant was a definite minus.

minus

/ ˈmaɪnəs /

preposition

1. reduced by the subtraction of

   four minus two (written 4 – 2)

2. informal,  deprived of; lacking

   minus the trimmings, that hat would be ordinary

adjective

1. 1. indicating or involving subtraction

      a minus sign

   2. Also: negative. having a value or designating a quantity less than zero

      a minus number

2. on the negative part of a scale or coordinate axis

   a value of minus 40°C

3. involving a disadvantage, harm, etc

   a minus factor

4. (postpositive) education slightly below the standard of a particular grade

   he received a B minus for his essay

5. botany designating the strain of a fungus that can only undergo sexual reproduction with a plus strain

6. denoting a negative electric charge

noun

1. short for minus sign

2. a negative quantity

3. a disadvantage, loss, or deficit

4. informal,  something detrimental or negative

Word History and Origins

Origin of minus¹

1300–50; Middle English < Latin, neuter of minor less; minor

Word History and Origins

Origin of minus¹

C15: from Latin, neuter of _minor

Example Sentences

Consumer confidence fell two points to minus 19 in the month, according to research group GfK’s index, published with the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions on Friday.

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Looking further ahead, they weigh the pluses and minuses of retiring early or late and pros and cons of pursuing and exploring a new postretirement job or career.

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The revised inflation target is 3%, with a “tolerance band” of plus or minus one percentage point.

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The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday that its business-activity index for October rose to minus 1.7 from minus 12.8 in October, indicating contraction but at a less sharp pace than last month.

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The countdown had reached T minus ten minutes.

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