Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [les-er]
- /ˈlɛs ər/
- /ˈles.ər/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [les-er]
- /ˈlɛs ər/
Definitions of lesser word
- adjective lesser small in size; not big; not large; tiny: a little desk in the corner of the room. 1
- adjective lesser short in duration; not extensive; short; brief: a little while. 1
- adjective lesser small in number: a little group of scientists. 1
- adjective lesser small in amount or degree; not much: little hope. 1
- adjective lesser of a certain amount; appreciable (usually preceded by a): We're having a little difficulty. 1
- adjective lesser being such on a small scale: little farmers. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of lesser
First appearance:
before 1175 One of the 8% oldest English words
First recorded in 1175-1225, lesser is from the Middle English word lasser, lesser. See less, -er4
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Lesser
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
lesser popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
lesser usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for lesser
adj lesser
- minor — lesser, as in size, extent, or importance, or being or noting the lesser of two: a minor share.
- insignificant — unimportant, trifling, or petty: Omit the insignificant details.
- bottom — The bottom of something is the lowest or deepest part of it.
- bush — A bush is a large plant which is smaller than a tree and has a lot of branches.
- bush-league — inferior or amateurish; mediocre: a bush-league theatrical performance.
adjective lesser
preposition lesser
adverb lesser
- under — beneath and covered by: under a table; under a tree.
Antonyms for lesser
adj lesser
- greater — unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions: A great fire destroyed nearly half the city.
- higher — having a great or considerable extent or reach upward or vertically; lofty; tall: a high wall.
- significant — important; of consequence.
- major — Clarence, born 1936, U.S. novelist and poet.
- superior — higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.: a superior officer.