Less vs. Lower: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 28, 2023
"Less" denotes a reduced amount or degree, while "Lower" refers to a position or rank beneath another.
Key Differences
"Less" and "Lower" both indicate reduction or diminution, yet they apply to different contexts and are used to convey distinct nuances.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
"Less" is a versatile term, often pointing to a decreased quantity, degree, or extent. For instance, one might say they want to eat less sugar for health reasons. "Lower", on the other hand, leans towards a spatial or hierarchical context, such as a lower shelf or a lower rank in an organization.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In mathematics, "Less" is used to highlight a smaller number or amount, like asserting that ten is less than twenty. "Lower" doesn't usually play a direct role in arithmetic but can be utilized to describe positions, as in lower and upper bounds in calculus.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In everyday language, "Less" might be used to emphasize a desire to minimize something, like spending less money or wasting less time. Contrastingly, "Lower" often describes things physically beneath others, or of a lesser status, such as the lower deck of a ship or the lower class.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In essence, while "Less" and "Lower" can sometimes be used interchangeably, they typically carry unique implications. "Less" is quantitative, while "Lower" is positional or hierarchical.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to a reduced amount or degree
Pertains to a position or rank beneath another
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Less and Lower Definitions
Less
Not as great in amount or quantity
Had less time to spend with the family.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
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Less
Lower in importance, esteem, or rank
No less a person than the ambassador.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Something not as important as something else
People have been punished for less.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Comparative of little
I slept even less last night than I did the night before.
I like him less each time I see him.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Used for constructing syntactic diminutive comparatives of adjectives and adverbs.
Randal is less welcome than Rachel but as her spouse we should invite them both.
This gadget is less useful than I expected.
I'm not any less happy for being on my own.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
To a smaller extent or degree.
The grammar book was less than (that is, not at all) helpful.
That this is a positive one makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To become less; diminish
The temperature has lowered gradually this month.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
(Now chiefly of numbers or dimensions) little; of inferior size, degree or extent; smaller, lesser.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
A smaller amount of; not as much.
No less than eight pints of beer.
I have less tea than coffee.
You have even less sense than an inanimate object.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Fewer; a smaller number of.
There are less people here now.
Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Minus; not including
It should then tax all of that as personal income, less the proportion of the car's annual mileage demonstrably clocked up on company business.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
A smaller amount or quantity.
Less is better.
I have less to do today than yesterday.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Smaller; not so large or great; not so much; shorter; inferior; as, a less quantity or number; a horse of less size or value; in less time than before.
Thus in less [time] than a hundred years from the coming of Augustine, all England became Christian.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Close or closer to a reference point
Was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as, less bright or loud; less beautiful.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
A smaller portion or quantity.
The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
A low number.
A low grade of oil.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
(comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree;
Of less importance
Less time to spend with the family
A shower uses less water
Less than three years old
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
A low fee.
A low income.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer;
Less than three weeks
No less than 50 people attended
In 25 words or less
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs;
Less interesting
Less expensive
Less quickly
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Less
Comparative of little;
She walks less than she should
He works less these days
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
A low stunt to pull. ].
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Lower Geology & Archaeology Relating to or being an earlier or older division of the period named.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(Biology) Less complex in organization or having traits similar to those of organisms that evolved earlier in the history of life on Earth.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Denoting the larger and usually more representative house of a bicameral legislature.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Situated on lower ground, nearer a coast, or more southerly.
Lower Manhattan
Lower Burgundy
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(transitive) To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down
Lower a bucket into a well
To lower a sail of a boat
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(transitive) To reduce the height of
Lower a fence or wall
Lower a chimney or turret
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(transitive) To make less elevated
To lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(transitive) To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of
Lower the temperature
Lower one's vitality
Lower distilled liquors
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(reflexive) (lower oneself) To humble oneself; to do something one considers to be beneath one's dignity.
I could never lower myself enough to buy second-hand clothes.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(transitive) To reduce (something) in value, amount, etc.
Lower the price of goods
Lower the interest rate
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(intransitive) To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease
The river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To reduce operations to single machine instructions, as part of compilation of a program.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down; as, to lower a bucket into a well; to lower a sail or a boat; sometimes, to pull down; as, to lower a flag.
Lowered softly with a threefold cord of loveDown to a silent grave.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To depress as to direction; as, to lower the aim of a gun; to make less elevated as to object; as, to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the temperature of anything; to lower one's vitality; to lower distilled liquors.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To reduce in value, amount, etc.; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To be dark, gloomy, and threatening, as clouds; to be covered with dark and threatening clouds, as the sky; to show threatening signs of approach, as a tempest.
All the clouds that lowered upon our house.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To frown; to look sullen.
But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Move something or somebody to a lower position;
Take down the vase from the shelf
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Cause to drop or sink;
The lack of rain had depressed the water level in the reservoir
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
Inferior in rank or status;
The junior faculty
A lowly corporal
Petty officialdom
A subordinate functionary
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 25, 2022
Lower
To reduce in amount, degree, or value.
The store decided to lower its prices.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
FAQs
Can "Less" be used in terms of frequency?
Yes, like in "less often" or "less regularly".
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Does "Lower" always mean "inferior"?
No, it can be neutral, merely indicating position.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can "Less" describe quality?
Not directly, but it can suggest reduced degree or extent.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Is "Lower" primarily spatial?
Often, but it can also refer to status or rank.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
How does "Less" relate to "fewer"?
"Less" is used for uncountable quantities, "fewer" for countable.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Are "Less" and "Lower" interchangeable?
Occasionally, but they often have distinct implications.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can "Lower" indicate a decrease in value?
Yes, like "lower the price" or "lowered value".
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Which is more general in usage?
"Less" is more versatile, while "Lower" is often specific to position or rank.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
