More or less — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb

Meaning & Definition of More or less

More or less (adverb)

  1. to a varying or undetermined extent or degree, somewhat
  2. with small variations, approximately

More or less (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. very close to but not completely

    "the lot is 16 acres more or less"

    similar: about, all but, almost, borderline, fair (chiefly British), fairly, feckly (chiefly Scottish), most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of
    related: appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, kind of, partially, partly, somewhat
    near: absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb (chiefly dialect), quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely

  2. to some degree or extent

    "most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage"

    similar: enough, fairly, kind of, kindly (chiefly Southern), like, moderately, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, something, somewhat, sort of, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite, a tad, a touch, of sorts, to a degree
    related: acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly, partway
    near: awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally, particularly, surpassingly, terribly, very, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially

  3. close to but not exactly

    "the box weighs 60 pounds more or less"

    similar: about, approximately, around, like, much, near, plus or minus, roughly, say, some, after a fashion, somewhere about, somewhere around
    related: generally, kind of, loosely, nearly, nominally, practically, virtually, well-nigh
    opposite: exactly, precisely
    near: due, even, just, sharp, smack-dab, squarely

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for More or less

The most common words with a similar meaning to More or less:

Chiefly British: fair
Chiefly Scottish: feckly
Chiefly Southern: kindly
about, all but, almost, borderline, fairly, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, enough, kind of, like, moderately, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, something, somewhat, sort of, approximately, around, plus or minus, roughly, say, some, as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite

Antonyms & Opposite Words for More or less

Words with the opposite meaning of More or less:

exactly, precisely

Related Words for More or less

appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, partially, partly, acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partway, generally, loosely

Near Antonyms of More or less

absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb, quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely, awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally

Origin & Etymology of More or less

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about More or less

What does "More or less" mean?

"More or less" means to a varying or undetermined extent or degree, somewhat. As an adverb, it is defined as: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree, somewhat. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "More or less"?

Other words for "More or less" include about, all but, almost, borderline, fair, fairly, feckly and most. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "More or less" you intend.

What are different ways to say "More or less"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "More or less". Common alternatives include about, all but, almost, borderline, fair, fairly, feckly, most, much and near.

What is the opposite of "More or less"?

Antonyms of "More or less" include exactly and precisely. Near antonyms include absolutely, altogether, completely and entirely.

How do you use "More or less" in a sentence?

Examples of "More or less" in a sentence: "the lot is 16 acres more or less"; "most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage"; "the box weighs 60 pounds more or less".

Is "More or less" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"More or less" is an adverb.

What is the origin of the word "More or less"?

First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "More or less" meaning "very close to but not completely"?

When "More or less" (adverb) means very close to but not completely, synonyms include about, all but, almost, borderline, fair and fairly.