minus

American  

[mahy-nuhs] / ˈmaɪ nəs /

preposition

1. less by the subtraction of; decreased by.

   Ten minus six is four.

2. lacking or without.

   a book minus its title page.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of minus

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

Example Sentences

With her sharp features, geometric haircut and form-fitting black ensembles, she’s a Bond villain minus the martial arts skills — icy but with a flicker of feeling, which makes her interesting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Orders minus transportation rose a healthy 0.8% in February and increased for the 11th straight month.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

The headline index, which represents the percentage of major manufacturing firms that said business conditions were favorable minus those that said conditions were unfavorable, rose to +17 from +16 in the prior quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

This compares with the company’s previous earnings outlook of $2 a share, plus or minus 25 cents, and sales growth of 6%, plus or minus 10%.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

In the second round, you can add or subtract a multiple, too, like “What is ten times ten, minus two times ten?”

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan