- more
- more [ mɔr ] function word, quantifier ***More is the comparative form of much and many and can be used in the following ways:as a determiner (followed by a noun):He wants to spend more time with his family.as a pronoun:I wish I could do more to help. (followed by of ):I'm not going to listen to any more of your lies.as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb):The stereos are more expensive in Japan than they are here.You should come and visit us more often. (used with a verb):I'd like to travel more.after numbers or expressions of quantity:There's one more question that we need to consider.You'll have to wait a few more minutes.1. ) a larger amount or numbera ) an amount or number that is larger than another, larger than it was before, or larger than you expected:It doesn't matter what you give her she always wants more.more...than: Ken already earns more than his father ever did.We've had five times more rain than normal for this time of the year.much/far/a lot more: The merger has created far more problems than it has solved.more than ever: People in the U.S. are spending more than ever on health and fitness.b ) more than used before a number or amount for saying that the actual number or amount is larger than this:The Whitewater Committee interviewed more than forty witnesses.not much more than...: There's not much more than ten minutes left.no more than...: He stopped no more than six feet away from the cliff edge.more than once (=several times): I've warned him more than once not to interfere.more than double/triple etc. (=become over twice, three times, etc. as large): During the past five years, the number of traffic accidents has more than doubled.2. ) => NOTE having more of a particular quality used for saying that a particular quality is stronger in one person or thing than in another, stronger than it was before, or stronger than you expected or hoped:The region has become more prosperous in recent years.Teenage marriages are more likely to end in divorce.more...than: The storm was more violent than we expected.Our company continues to be more efficient than our competitors.much/far/a lot more: Beth is obviously a lot more intelligent than the other girls.a little/bit more: Would you speak a little more slowly so I can understand what you're saying?3. ) happening morea ) happening or doing something a greater number of times, or for longer periods:You should go out more and meet other people.Reducing the tax on gasoline would simply encourage people to use their cars more.see more of someone (=see someone more often): I hope we'll see more of you when you've finished your dissertation.b ) to a greater degree:more...than: Rural life has changed more in the last 40 years than at any other time.I loved you more than anything else in the world.4. ) additional used for showing that something is in addition to what already exists, what has been used, or what has already been mentioned:If you need more paper, there's some in the drawer.That's all I know. I can't tell you any more.one/two/three etc. more: We'll have to wait for two more days.some/any more of something: I'm not wasting any more of my money on lottery tickets.more of the same: Today there will be sunshine and showers. Tomorrow, more of the same.no more: We have no more money in the account.nothing more: There's nothing more to say.more on that later (=used for saying that you will give details later): There are a few changes to the program but more on that later.5. ) one thing instead of another used for saying that one way of describing someone or something is truer or more accurate than another:more...than: What she did was more of a mistake than a crime.I was more amused than shocked by what she told me.The words were spoken more in sadness than in anger.more and moreused for saying that something is increasing in number or degree all the time:More and more people are choosing to spend their vacations abroad.As the situation grew steadily worse, he became more and more depressed.We are learning more and more about the effects of radiation on the human body.the more the merrierused for saying that you will be happy if more people come or take part in what you are doingthe more...the more/lessused for saying that when a particular activity, feeling, etc. increases, it causes something else to change at the same time:The more I thought about Carrie's suggestion, the more doubtful I became.The more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less chance you have of getting cancer.more or less1. ) almost:The team is more or less the same as it was last season.Roger's ideas had been more or less ignored.2. ) used for showing that you are guessing a number or amount:A sum of $80,000, more or less, will be needed to carry out repairs.more than likely/happy/ready etc.very likely, happy, etc.:It's more than likely that they will change the rules again next year.I'd be more than happy to show you around our factory.more than a little FORMALused for emphasizing how strong a feeling is:She was more than a little embarrassed by her friend's remarks.no moreused for saying that the future will be different from the past because something has stopped happening:No more will prisoners have to fear torture at the hands or their guards.No more worries about money now!no more excuses/questions/secrets etc. SPOKENused for telling someone that they must stop doing making excuses, asking questions, etc.:No more excuses! If you're late again, you're fired.no more thanused for saying that a particular situation or result seems appropriate or normal:I'm glad he lost his job it's no more than he deserved.Valerie failed, but that was no more than we'd expected.no/nothing/little more thanused for emphasizing that someone or something is not at all important or impressive:The ancient canal is now little more than a muddy ditch.The governor treated our protests as nothing more than a minor nuisance.=> OFTEN, ONCE, PITY1, WHAT─ opposite LESS
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
