Words / B2

MYN-uh-s/ˈmaɪnəs/

Minus means less, or a disadvantage, or the − sign: score minus the penalty; a minus. Less is everyday; negative is the maths twin. Still show the raw total. Mix-up: minutes are time or notes (already in the dictionary); minas is not English. Do not write minus for “minutes of the meeting”.

Meaning

Less; reduced by. Also a disadvantage (noun) or a negative sign.

Examples

• “Score minus the penalty still needs the raw total in the margin.”
• “Cost was a minus in the evaluation, which is the disadvantage sense.”

Good to know

n minus n; a minus; minus sign. Everyday: less. Trap: minutes. Maths, PE scores, and evaluations. Subtract or a drawback, not a time note.

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