minus

mi|nus1 [ `maınəs ] function word **

Minus can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition:

Seventeen minus nine is eight.

The whole family minus John and Darlene was there.

as an adjective:

It was minus 12 degrees this morning.

The teacher gave me a C minus.

1. ) used in mathematics for showing that you are taking one number from another. This word is usually represented by the symbol -:

72 minus 5 equals 67.

2. ) used before a number to show that a number or temperature is less than zero:

The temperature got down to minus 15 degrees over the weekend.

Subtract ten from seven and the answer is minus three.

3. ) INFORMAL without something that you had in the past or usually have:

Anthony returned to work minus his beard.

The Johnsons got home safely but minus their luggage.

4. ) only before noun used for describing a disadvantage or negative quality of something:

a minus point/factor: One of the minus points was the risk of getting caught.

A minus/B minus/C minus/D minus

grades given by teachers for students' work that are lower than the grades A, B, C, and D. These grades are usually written A-, B-, etc.:

I got an A minus for my last essay.

─ opposite PLUS

minus

mi|nus 2 [ `maınəs ] noun count *

1. ) INFORMAL a disadvantage:

Having famous parents might be considered a minus.

pluses and minuses (=advantages and disadvantages): Before I decide, I need to weigh up all the pluses and minuses.

2. ) a MINUS SIGN