mi·nus
ˈmī-nəs 
1
: algebraically negative
a minus quantity
minus ten degrees
2
: having a negative quality
3
: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (such as a fungus)
4
: falling low in a specified range
B minus
Examples of minus in a Sentence
Preposition
He left the restaurant minus his hat.
a fruit that looks like a peach, minus the fuzz
Noun
She decided that the pluses of owning a home outweighed the minuses.
Some employers see a lack of experience as a real minus.
Put the minus to the left of the number.
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Temperatures plunge below minus 40 degrees F—without factoring in wind chill.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Nick Crain, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Anderson contributed two points, two rebounds and three assists in 11 minutes while posting a positive plus/minus of plus 4.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Simon Hill, Wired News, 1 Apr. 2025
The rookie Larsson shot 3 for 13, and was a minus 14, in his two previous starts this season, losses to Philadelphia and Minnesota.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minus
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Preposition
The shot tuna were then hoisted onto a support vessel, ready to be frozen at minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit and start their long journey to foreign markets.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Temperatures plunge below minus 40 degrees F—without factoring in wind chill.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
Williams has posted a +91 total box plus/minus, which is good for fourth on the Thunder.
—Nick Crain, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Anderson contributed two points, two rebounds and three assists in 11 minutes while posting a positive plus/minus of plus 4.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Tap the minus icon to remove an existing shortcut, and tap the plus icon to add a new one.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 1 Apr. 2025
The rookie Larsson shot 3 for 13, and was a minus 14, in his two previous starts this season, losses to Philadelphia and Minnesota.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minus
Cite this Entry
“Minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minus. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minus
1 of 3 preposition
mi·nus
ˈmī-nəs
1
: with the subtraction of : less
7 minus 4 is 3
2
: without entry 1 sense 3a
minus his hat
minus
2 of 3 noun1
: a negative quantity
2
: a negative quality
especially
: disadvantage entry 1 sense 2b
minus
3 of 3 adjective1
: mathematically negative
4 plus minus 3
2
: falling low in a specified range
a grade of C minus
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