(~es, or ~ses)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
You say ~ to show that one number or quantity is being added to another.
Send a cheque for ?18.99 ~ ?2 for postage and packing...
They will pay about $673 million ~ interest.
? minus
CONJ
2.
Plus before a number or quantity means that the number or quantity is greater than zero.
The aircraft was subjected to temperatures of minus 65 degrees and ~ 120 degrees.
? minus
~ or minus: see minus
ADJ: ADJ amount
3.
You can use ~ when mentioning an additional item or fact. (INFORMAL)
There’s easily enough room for two adults and three children, ~ a dog in the boot...
= and
CONJ
4.
You use ~ after a number or quantity to indicate that the actual number or quantity is greater than the one mentioned.
There are only 35 staff to serve 30,000-~ customers...
ADJ: amount ADJ
5.
Teachers use ~ in grading work in schools and colleges. ‘B ~’ is a better grade than ‘B’, but it is not as good as ‘A’.
? minus
6.
A ~ is an advantage or benefit. (INFORMAL)
Experience of any career in sales is a big ~...
? drawback
N-COUNT