minus

/'mainəs/

Thân thiện

The teacher writes "four minus three equals one" on the chalkboard.

Definition

1. Preposition:

   • Indicating subtraction: Used to show that one number is to be subtracted from another.
   • Lacking or without: Used to indicate the absence or removal of something.

2. Adjective:

   • Less than zero; negative: Indicating a quantity below zero on a scale.
   • Slightly lower in standard or quality: Often used in grading to indicate a score just below a letter grade.
   • Involving disadvantage or harm: Characterized by a negative or detrimental factor.

3. Noun:

   • The symbol "–": The mathematical sign representing subtraction or a negative value.
   • A negative quantity or deficit: A number less than zero, or a deficiency.

Examples of Usage

• Preposition:

  • Ten minus four equals six.
  • He returned minus his hat. (He returned without his hat.)

• Adjective:

  • The temperature dropped to minus ten degrees.
  • She got a B minus on her essay.
  • There are both plus and minus factors to consider.

• Noun:

  • Don't forget to write the minus before the negative number.
  • The final calculation showed a net minus.

Advanced Usage

• "On the minus side": Used to introduce a disadvantage or negative aspect.

  • On the minus side, the job requires a lot of travel.

• "Minus point": A disadvantage or flaw.

  • The car's high price is a major minus point.

Variants and Related Words

• Minuscule (adj): Extremely small; tiny. (Note: This is a distinct word, not a direct variant of "minus").
• Subtraction (n): The process or operation of deducting one number from another.

Synonyms

• Less (preposition): Used especially in subtraction (e.g., ).
• Negative (adjective): Characterized by the absence of positive attributes; less than zero.
• Without (preposition): Not having.

Related Phrases

• Plus or minus (adverb): Indicating an approximate figure or margin of error.

  • The journey will take two hours, plus or minus ten minutes.

• Minus sign (noun phrase): The symbol "–".

  • Remember to put a minus sign in front of negative numbers.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. involving disadvantage or harm
   • minus (or negative) factors
2. on the negative side or lower end of a scale
   • minus 5 degrees
   • a grade of B minus

Noun

1. an arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated
   • the subtraction of three from four leaves one
   • four minus three equals one

Từ đồng nghĩa

• negative
• subtraction