French edit

Etymology edit

Inherited from Middle French moins, from Old French meins, from Latin minus.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /mwɛ̃/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -wɛ̃

Adverb edit

moins

  1. comparative degree of peu; less, fewer
    Faites moins de bruit.Make less noise.
    J’ai dû attendre moins de dix minutes.I had to wait less than ten minutes.
    De moins en moins de personnes peuvent se permettre de passer des vacances à l’étranger.
    Fewer and fewer people can afford to spend holidays abroad.
  2. (with numbers) minus; negative
    moins cinqminus five
  3. (preceded by a definite article) superlative degree of peu; the least
    C’est lui qui gagne le moins (d’argent) dans sa famille.He earns the least money in his family.
    C’était la chose la moins surprenante.It was the least surprising thing.

Antonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Noun edit

moins m (plural moins)

  1. the minus sign

Preposition edit

moins

  1. minus
    Cinq moins deux font trois
    Five minus two makes three.

Antonyms edit

Further reading edit

Anagrams edit