more or less

adverb

1
: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree : somewhat
they were more or less willing to help
2
: with small variations : approximately
contains 16 acres more or less

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The worldwide deficit between 2023 and 2024 is more or less due to the overseas results of Barbie ($810M). Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025 In terms of form and function, the Even Realities G1 glasses appear on paper to be more or less identical to the Rokid Glasses and the RayNeo X3. Will Greenwald, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025 In the last 25 years, the slice of pizza went from a workaday street snack more or less endemic to the five boroughs to an object of food-nerd fascination far beyond the city. Ed Levine, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025 The outcomes can feel especially arbitrary when everyone is telling more or less the same story. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for more or less 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of more or less was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near more or less

Cite this Entry

“More or less.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/more%20or%20less. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

more or less

adverb
1
: to a varying or uncertain degree : somewhat
they were more or less willing to help
2
: with small variations : approximately
contains 16 acres more or less
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!