Less vs. Lower: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 30, 2023
"Less" denotes a smaller quantity or degree, while "lower" refers to a position or rank beneath another.
Difference Between Less and Lower
"Less" and "lower" are both comparative words in the English language, used to describe the relative degree or position of things. However, they have distinct usages. "Less" is primarily used when referring to a diminished quantity or degree. For example, you might have less sugar in your coffee than someone else. In contrast, "lower" would typically indicate a position or rank that is beneath another, as in the lower shelf of a cupboard or a lower rank in an organizational hierarchy.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Furthermore, "less" can be used with non-count nouns, like "less water" or "less information." It can also indicate a reduced degree of something, such as "less important" or "less likely." On the other hand, "lower" can denote a more specific positional or relational difference. A valley is lower than a mountain, and the first floor of a building is lower than the third floor.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
In terms of intensity or quality, "less" may be used to suggest a diminished level or standard. For instance, "less effective" or "less significant." Whereas "lower" can be used in contexts like "lower quality" or "lower standards," implying not just a reduction, but potentially an inferiority.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
It's crucial to choose between "less" and "lower" based on context. While both words compare, "less" leans towards quantity and degree, and "lower" suggests position or rank.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
Less vs. Lower Comparison Chart
Less vs. Lower Definitions
◉Less
Indicative of a reduced degree.
His performance was less impressive this year.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
◉Less
Not as great in amount or quantity
had less time to spend with the family.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Less
Lower in importance, esteem, or rank
no less a person than the ambassador.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
To become less; diminish
The temperature has lowered gradually this month.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Less
Something not as important as something else
People have been punished for less.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Less
(Now chiefly of numbers or dimensions) little; of inferior size, degree or extent; smaller, lesser.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
Fewer; a smaller number of.
There are less people here now.
Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Close or closer to a reference point
was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
A smaller amount or quantity.
Less is better.
I have less to do today than yesterday.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Below an average or a standard
low wages.
a low level of communication.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
a low number.
a low grade of oil.
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as, less bright or loud; less beautiful.
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
A smaller portion or quantity.
The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
a low fee.
a low income.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
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May 03, 2023
◉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
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
a low stunt to pull. ].
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
no less a person than the king himself
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May 03, 2023
◉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
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Physically situated below a similar or comparable thing
a lower shelf.
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs;
less interesting
less expensive
less quickly
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Lower Geology & Archaeology Relating to or being an earlier or older division of the period named.
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May 03, 2023
◉Less
comparative of little;
she walks less than she should
he works less these days
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(Biology) Less complex in organization or having traits similar to those of organisms that evolved earlier in the history of life on Earth.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Denoting the larger and usually more representative house of a bicameral legislature.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
Situated on lower ground, nearer a coast, or more southerly.
Lower Manhattan
Lower Burgundy
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May 03, 2023
◉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
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(transitive) To reduce the height of
lower a fence or wall
lower a chimney or turret
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(transitive) To make less elevated
to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(transitive) To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of
lower the temperature
lower one's vitality
lower distilled liquors
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(transitive) To reduce (something) in value, amount, etc.
lower the price of goods
lower the interest rate
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(intransitive) To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease
The river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
To reduce operations to single machine instructions, as part of compilation of a program.
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May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
To reduce in value, amount, etc.; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
To frown; to look sullen.
But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
move something or somebody to a lower position;
take down the vase from the shelf
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
cause to drop or sink;
The lack of rain had depressed the water level in the reservoir
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
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May 03, 2023
◉Lower
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
no less a person than the king himself
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lower
inferior in rank or status;
the junior faculty
a lowly corporal
petty officialdom
a subordinate functionary
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
Less vs. Lower Frequently Asked Questions
And when should I opt for lower?
"Lower" is appropriate when referencing a position beneath another or a reduced value.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
What's the primary distinction between less and lower?
"Less" pertains to quantity or degree, while "lower" relates to position or rank.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
When would I use less over lower?
Use "less" when discussing a smaller quantity or reduced degree.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Can less be used for non-count nouns?
Yes, such as "less water" or "less information."
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Is lower used to indicate inferiority?
Yes, as in "lower quality" or "lower standards."
Elijah
Sep 30, 2023
Does less always mean inferior?
No, "less" indicates a smaller quantity or degree but not necessarily inferiority.
William
Sep 30, 2023
Can both words be used as adjectives?
Yes, though "less" can often also be an adverb, while "lower" is typically an adjective.
Elijah
Sep 30, 2023
When discussing price drops, which term should I use?
"Lower" is more fitting, as in "The price is now lower."
Kaitlyn
Sep 30, 2023
In the context of floors in a building, which word should I use?
"Lower" is appropriate, e.g., the "lower floor."
Olivia
Sep 30, 2023
If I'm referencing rankings or hierarchies, which word fits best?
"Lower" is the suitable choice for rankings or hierarchies.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
