More or less
Example: The result is more or less what we expected
Definition
"More or less" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate an approximate amount, extent, or degree, suggesting that something is nearly or almost the case but not exact. For example, it expresses that the result is roughly as expected without being precise.
Etymology
The phrase "more or less" originates from the combination of the comparative adjective 'more' and the adjective 'less,' both of which have Old English roots. 'More' comes from Old English 'māra' meaning greater in amount or degree, while 'less' derives from Old English 'lǣs' meaning smaller in amount. The phrase has been used for centuries to convey approximation by balancing these two concepts.
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"More or less" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - (A2) - set 2", containing 116 commonly used words.
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