Learner's definition of LESS
: not so much : smaller in amount or number较小的;更少的 -
We need less talk and more work!我们须要少说话多做事!
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She finished in less time than I did.她完成工作的时间比我短。
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Less detail is sometimes better than more detail.有时候简比繁好。
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8 times 2 is less than 6 times 3.*8乘以2小于6乘以3。
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We made it there in less than six hours.我们只花了不到六个小时就到了那儿。
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The whole procedure takes less than five minutes.整个过程用时不到五分钟。
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The illness affects less than one percent of the population.感染这种疾病的人不到总人口的百分之一。
no less
—
used to suggest that something is surprising or impressive(用于表示某事物令人惊讶或印象深刻)竟,居然 -
He insists on being driven to the airport, and in a limousine no less! [=it is surprising that he insists on being driven in a limousine]他坚持要人开车送他去机场,而且居然非豪华轿车不坐!
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She was contacted by the president, no less!总裁竟然联系过她!
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The plan was approved by no less (of) an authority than the president himself.这个计划竟然是总统本人亲自批准的。
no less than
: at least至少—
used to suggest that a number or amount is surprisingly large用于强调数量惊人 Usage用法 The adjectives less and fewer have similar meanings but are used in slightly different ways.形容词less和fewer意思相近但用法稍有区别。Fewer is used with nouns that can be counted.*fewer用于修饰可数名词。 Less is usually used with nouns that cannot be counted.*less通常用于修饰不可数名词。 But less is also more likely than fewer to be used with count nouns that refer to distances and amounts of money.但修饰指距离和金额的可数名词时,less比fewer更常用。 Less is also used in mathematical expressions and in certain phrases.*less也用于数学表达式和某些短语。 It is also used instead of fewer with other sorts of plural nouns, although many people still consider this use incorrect.*less也用于代替fewer修饰其他复数名词,不过很多人仍然认为这种用法不正确。 2 less /ˈlɛs/ adverb
Learner's definition of LESS
: not so much : to a smaller extent or degree更小地;更少地;程度较低地 -
This test seemed much less difficult than the last one.这次的测验似乎比上一次的难度小得多了。
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Which test is the less difficult of the two?两次测验哪次更容易些?
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The test is no less difficult for being shorter. [=even though the test is shorter, it is not easier]此次测验内容少了,但难度不减。
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Do you have another one that's less expensive?你还有便宜点的吗?
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a less likely possibility更小的可能性
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She visits much/far less often than she used to.她拜访的次数远少于以前了。
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They're focusing more on quality and less on quantity.他们更多地注重质量,较少关注数量。
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I like this one (a little) less than the other.与另一个相比,我不大喜欢这个。
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Their band is less concerned with making music than with making money.他们的乐队更关心的是赚钱,而非音乐创作。
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The cost is much/far less (of) a problem than we thought it would be.成本问题远比我们原来想象的要简单。
in less than no time
informal
less and less
: in a way that is gradually smaller, weaker, or less common越来越少;越来越弱;越来越罕见
less than
: not completely or not at all不完全;完全不 -
She was less than happy with the results. [=she was not entirely happy or she was unhappy]对于这个结果,她不(太)开心。
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He was less than honest in his replies. [=he was not completely honest or he was very dishonest]在回复中,他没有(完全)说实话。
much less
or chiefly British still less
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used after a negative statement to say that something is even less likely or possible than the thing previously mentioned更别提,更不用说(用在否定句后,表示此事的可能性比前者更小) -
I don't eat eggs, much less meat.我不吃鸡蛋,更别提肉了。
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He can't run a mile, much less complete a marathon.他连一英里都跑不到,更不用说跑一场马拉松了。
3 less /ˈlɛs/ pronoun
Learner's definition of LESS
1
: a smaller number or amount更少;更小 -
We've learned to make do with less. [=to survive with less money, fewer possessions, etc.]我们学会了凑合着过日子。
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He's trying to save more and spend less.他在设法少花钱多存钱。
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I have less than you do.我的没有你的多。
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I read much/far/even less of the second book than of the first.与第一本书相比,第二本书我读得少得多/少很多/更少。
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I seem to save less each year.我存的钱似乎一年比一年少。
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We had exactly one day to get the job done—no more, no less.我们刚好用一天的时间完成工作,不多也不少。
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Less is sometimes better than more.有时候少比多好。
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Regarding his recent behavior, perhaps the less said, the better. [=his recent behavior has been so bad that it is better to not say anything about it]对他最近的行为,也许少说为好。
2
: something that is smaller or less important than another thing更小(或更无关紧要)的事物
could/couldn't care less
— see 2care
less and less
: an amount that becomes gradually smaller越来越少 4 less /ˈlɛs/ preposition
4 less
/ˈlɛs/
preposition
Learner's definition of LESS
: after taking away or subtracting (something)减去;扣除 -
the regular price less [=minus] a discount原价减去折扣
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We earned two hundred dollars, less travel expenses.扣除差旅费用,我们挣了两百美元。