WordGarden.iolesser
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɛsə/
US
- /ˈlɛsər/
Meanings
Adjective
lower in importance, status, or consequence; comparatively minor
smaller in amount, degree, or extent
Beyond the definition
"Lesser" does not usually mean physically smaller. More often, it means lower in rank, importance, or quality. Think of a king and his subjects; the subjects would be seen as lesser in power. Or imagine two paintings: one by a famous master and one by an amateur. The second might be seen as the lesser work, not because it is smaller, but because it has less skill or value. You might also hear "the lesser evil" when someone must choose between two bad options. In that case, it means the one that would do less harm. The word usually works by comparison: one thing is lesser than another.
The word "lesser" describes something that is lower in importance, rank, quality, amount, or degree when compared with something else. It is not usually about physical size. More often, it is about relative value, power, status, or effect.
Think of a royal court: a minor noble might hold a lesser title than a duke or a king. Or consider legal language: "lesser charges" in court are charges that bring lighter penalties than more serious ones. A "lesser-known" author is one who has not become as famous as a major bestseller writer.
"Lesser" often suggests that something stands lower on a scale, though this is not always strongly negative. Sometimes it simply marks a difference in level or place. You might describe a "lesser inconvenience" as something annoying but easy to handle compared with a major problem. In mythology or old stories, "lesser gods" are minor gods compared with the main gods.
The word is common in comparisons such as "a lesser degree of difficulty," "a lesser amount of damage," or "a lesser risk." In each case, it places one thing lower on a scale than another thing.
So, while it can sometimes refer to something smaller in amount or degree, "lesser" is most often used for things that are lower in importance, quality, rank, or effect. It nearly always depends on comparison.
Examples
- 1
Work role
She accepted a lesser role in the project so she could spend more time with her family.
- 2
Art reputation
The museum is full of lesser-known artists from the region.
- Phraselesser-known
not as famous or familiar
- 3
Degree of impact
The new rules affected small businesses to a lesser extent than expected.
- Phraseto a lesser extent
not as much
- 4
Priority
The second problem is important, but it is of lesser concern right now.
- Phraseof lesser concern
less important to worry about
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Bad choices
Neither choice was ideal, but delaying the meeting seemed like the lesser of two evils.
- Phrasethe lesser of two evils
the less bad of two bad choices
- 6
Legal charge
He was found guilty of a lesser charge and avoided a long prison sentence.
- Domaina lesser charge
a less serious crime someone is accused of
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lesseradjectiveadverb