minus

Pronunciation

• enPR: mīn-əs, IPA ^(key): /ˈmaɪnəs/
• SAMPA: /"maIn@s/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Preposition

Preposition minus

1. You use $x$ minus $y$ to show that $y$ is taken away from $x$.

   Five minus three is two. $(5-3=2)$

   The TV is $299 minus a 10% discount.

   The margin of error is plus or minus one per cent.

See also

• subtraction

Noun

Singular minus

Plural minuses

1. (mathematics) A minus sign, negative sign, or minus is the symbol "－". It is used in more than one situation:
   • before a number, to indicate that it is a negative number.
   • in a math problem $3-1=2$ to indicate subtraction.
2. A minus is a problem or some negative aspect.

   He's nice, but the way he dresses is a real minus.

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