more or less

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

more or less

We vote more or less when and where we want—by mail, in person, early, late.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

People with autism can be more or less sensitive to sensory experiences, with the impact varying from person to person.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

In practice, the crumbs more or less fused into a single crust over the slick cabbage beneath.

From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026

So you’d be more or less treading water between your returns and inflation with your money stashed in cash equivalents.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026

“There’s always next year, hon,” says Dad, because that’s the Dad-ish thing to say when your daughter, more or less, sulks through an entire weekend.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

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