I. ˈminus ˌsign BrE AmE ( also minus ) noun [countable]
a sign (-) showing that a number is less than zero, or that the second of two numbers is to be ↑ subtract ed from the first ⇨ plus sign
II. mi ‧ nus 1 /ˈmaɪnəs/ BrE AmE preposition
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'less' , from minor 'smaller' ]
1 . used to show that one number or quantity is being ↑ subtract ed from another OPP plus :
17 minus 5 is 12 (17 – 5 = 12).
The payment will be refunded to you minus a small service charge.
2 . informal without something that would normally be there, or that used to be there:
He came back minus a couple of front teeth.
III. minus 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . something that is a disadvantage because it makes a situation unpleasant SYN drawback OPP plus :
There are both pluses and minuses to living in a big city.
2 . a ↑ minus sign
IV. minus 3 BrE AmE adjective
1 . [only before noun] British English used to talk about a disadvantage of a thing or situation OPP plus :
‘Any minus points?’ ‘Well, the engine is rather noisy.’
On the minus side, there is no free back-up service if things go wrong.
2 . less than zero – used especially when talking about temperatures:
At night temperatures sometimes fall to minus 30°.
a minus quantity
3 . A minus/B minus etc a mark used in a system of judging students’ work. An ‘A minus’ is slightly lower than an ‘A’, but higher than a ‘B’. OPP plus