Words / B2

LES-uh/ˈlesə/

Lesser means smaller or less important: a lesser-known poet; the lesser of two evils. Smaller is everyday; minor is close. “The lesser of two evils” is not a methods justification. Mix-up: lessor is a person who leases property; less is the determiner. Do not write lesser than (use less than).

Meaning

Smaller, less important, or not as great (often lesser-known; the lesser of two evils).

Examples

• ““Choose the lesser of two evils” is not a methods justification.”
• “A lesser-known source still needs a citation, which is the “not famous” sense.”

Good to know

a lesser + noun; lesser-known; the lesser of two evils. Trap: lessor / less than. Essays, RS, and literature. Smaller in rank, not a grammar “less”.

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