Minus: meaning, definitions and examples

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minus

[ ˈmaɪnəs ]

^{Context #1}

mathematics

The operation of subtraction, used to find the difference between two numbers.

Synonyms

deduct, subtract, take away

Examples of usage

5 minus 3 equals 2
She calculated the result by using the minus sign.

^{Context #2}

informal

A negative aspect or characteristic.

Synonyms

con, disadvantage, drawback

Examples of usage

The downside of the plan was seen as a minus by the team.
His lack of experience was viewed as a minus during the interview.

^{Context #3}

informal

Unwelcome or undesirable.

Synonyms

negative, unfavorable, unwelcomed

Examples of usage

His minus attitude brought down the mood of the group.
The minus feedback was not well received by the team.

Translations

Translations of the word "minus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 menos

menos (-)
menos (desvantagem)

🇮🇳 माइनस (गणितीय)

🇩🇪 Minus

🇮🇩 minus

kurang
kerugian

🇺🇦 мінус

🇵🇱 minus

ujemny
wada

🇯🇵 マイナス (数値的)

🇫🇷 moins

🇪🇸 menos

🇹🇷 eksi

🇰🇷 마이너스

🇸🇦 ناقص

🇨🇿 mínus

🇸🇰 mínus

🇨🇳 减 (jiǎn)

🇸🇮 minus

🇮🇸 mínus

🇰🇿 минус

🇬🇪 მინუსი

🇦🇿 minus

🇲🇽 menos

Word origin

The word 'minus' originated from Latin 'minus', meaning 'less'. In mathematics, the term has been used since the 15th century to denote the operation of subtraction. Over time, 'minus' has also come to be used informally to indicate negative aspects or characteristics. The word has evolved to represent the concept of reduction, negativity, or disadvantage in various contexts.