more or less

adverb

1

: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree : somewhat

they were more or less willing to help

2

: with small variations : approximately

contains 16 acres more or less

Synonyms of more or less

• almost
• practically
• nearly
• pretty much
• just about
• fairly

Examples of more or less in a Sentence

the lot is 16 acres more or less

most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Alex just keeps calm, and that’s what Pascal does, more or less, throughout the movie. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

The heuristic has more or less remained despite the evolution in draft philosophies and roster construction, as well as with changes to rookie wage scales. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

The $52,000 Invoice Invoice capture has been more or less automated for a while now. — Shaz Khan, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Satellite reentries are difficult to forecast, and changes in solar activity can change the density of air molecules in low Earth orbit, resulting in more or less drag on satellites flying there. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for more or less

• adulteress
• adventuress
• nevertheless
• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress

Kids Definition

more or less

adverb

1

: to a varying or uncertain degree : somewhat

they were more or less willing to help

2

: with small variations : approximately

contains 16 acres more or less