Pronunciation

/ˈmaɪnəs/

Definitions

• Preposition: Indicating subtraction or a deficiency. It’s used when finding the difference between two numbers or amounts. For example: “5 minus 2 equals 3.”
• Noun: The mathematical operation of subtraction; the symbol representing this operation, “-”. For example: “The answer is the result of adding the plus numbers and subtracting the minus ones.”
• Adjective: Less by a specified amount or number; indicating a deficit or loss. For example: “Minus ten degrees Celsius is very cold.”

Phrases

• “Minus sign” refers to the symbol (-) used to indicate subtraction or a negative value.
• “Minus something” implies that something is lacking or absent. e.g., “The project would be perfect minus a few minor errors.”
• “Temperature minus zero” indicates temperatures below freezing point.

Example Sentences

• Preposition: “If you take away three from seven, you get four; so it’s seven minus three.”
• Noun: “In arithmetic, we learned about addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with ‘minus’ being part of the latter.”
• Adjective: “After the storm, the temperature dropped to minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit.”

Synonyms

• Less (when used as a preposition)
• Subtract (as a verb related to the concept)
• Negative (for the adjective sense referring to a deficit or a negative quantity)