more or less

1. Approximately, as in The truck will hold nine yards of dirt, more or less . This usage was first recorded in 1589.

2. Basically, essentially, as in We more or less agree on the substance of the letter . This usage was first recorded about 1225.

Example Sentences

For a Northeastern more-or-less-moderate Republican, this courting of the right is a familiar path.

From The Daily Beast

Here, now, are some achievable resolutions that will help you be sort of, basically, more-or-less decent in the year to come.

From The Daily Beast

But why has his cause morphed to the more-or-less united Israeli front lobbying today for his freedom?

From The Daily Beast

UPDATE BELOW: College kids are well known for doing more-or-less innocuous, dumb pranks.

From The Daily Beast

Syria will become a more-or-less functioning democracy within the year.

From The Daily Beast

Red Hoss forgot temporarily the more-or-less indefinite purpose which had brought him hither.

From Project Gutenberg

The women seemed to have erected a temporary tri-partite Entente-more-or-less-Cordiale.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not on its side but rather had sunk into the snow in more-or-less of an upright position.

From Project Gutenberg

Then armed, more-or-less-armored men ran back to the scene of their reveling.

From Project Gutenberg

Back home on Earth, they had all been more-or-less average men.

From Project Gutenberg