1. (comparative of ‘little’ usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree
   "a shower uses less water"; "less than three years old"; "of less importance"; "less time to spend with the family"
    
2. (usually preceded by ‘no’) lower in quality
   "no less than perfect"
    
3. (nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer
   "in 25 words or less"; "less than three weeks"; "no less than 50 people attended"

1. Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs, indicates that the adjective or adverb is less of something
   "less interesting"; "less expensive"; "less quickly";
   - to a lesser extent
    
2. Comparative of little
   "she walks less than she should"; "he works less these days"

1. With subtraction of; not including
   "The total is $50 less tax";
   - minus, without

See also: fewer, inferior, little, slight

Antonym: more

Encyclopedia: Less