more or less

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more or less

The two slices of cake are more or less the same size.

Definition

Adverb 1. Approximately, roughly: Used to indicate that a quantity, amount, or description is not exact but is close to being accurate or true. 2. Somewhat, slightly: Used to indicate a small degree or extent; to a limited or moderate degree.

Usage

The phrase "more or less" is used to express approximation or a degree of vagueness. It can modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or entire statements. * It often precedes or follows a numerical quantity or a descriptive statement to show it is an estimate. * It can also be used to soften a statement, indicating that something is mostly true but not completely or perfectly so.

Examples
  • Modifying a quantity:
    • The project will take more or less three months to complete.
    • It costs more or less fifty dollars.
  • Modifying a description or statement:
    • The rooms are more or less the same size.
    • I've more or less finished the report; I just need to check the citations.
    • "Are you ready to go?" "More or less."
Advanced Usage
  • "More or less than": While "more or less" itself means "approximately," it can be part of comparative structures when separated.
    • Is it more than ten or less? (This is a question asking for a specific comparison, not the idiomatic phrase.)
  • As a sentence adverb: It can be used to qualify an entire preceding statement.
    • We agree on the main points, more or less.
Variants and Related Words
  • Approximately (adv.): Close to a particular number or time but not exactly.
  • Roughly (adv.): In a manner that is not exact or detailed; approximately.
  • About (adv.): Used before a number or quantity to mean approximately.
  • Somewhat (adv.): To a moderate extent or degree.
  • Pretty much (adv., informal): Almost completely; very nearly.
Synonyms
  • Approximately
  • Roughly
  • About
  • Around
  • Nearly
  • Almost
  • Virtually
  • Just about
Related Phrases
  • Or so: Used after a quantity to indicate an approximation.
    • We waited for an hour or so.
  • Give or take: Used after a quantity to specify the possible margin of error.
    • It's a mile away, give or take a few hundred yards.
more or less

The two slices of cake are more or less the same size.

Adverb
  1. to a small degree or extent
    • his arguments were somewhat self-contradictory
    • the children argued because one slice of cake was slightly larger than the other
  2. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
    • lasted approximately an hour
    • in just about a minute
    • he's about 30 years old
    • I've had about all I can stand
    • we meet about once a month
    • some forty people came
    • weighs around a hundred pounds
    • roughly $3,000
    • holds 3 gallons, more or less
    • 20 or so people were at the party

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