plus or minus

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of plus or minusnext
: indicating a quantity whose algebraically positive and negative values serve to bracket a range of values either alone or when added to and subtracted from a given number
measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 3 feet

plus or minus

2 of 2

adverb

: more or less, approximately
a dance for singles plus or minus age 30

Synonyms of plus or minus

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of plus or minus in a Sentence

Adverb I have plus or minus five dollars in change.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points. — John Woolfolk, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 The results had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Adverb
The margin of error was plus or minus 3%, with a 95% confidence interval. — Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2023 Here, purchaser simply put money in, and got money back, plus or minus their investment return, and less fees and expenses. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for plus or minus

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plus or minus was in 1849

Rhymes for plus or minus

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Browse Nearby Words

plus-one
plus or minus
plus petitio
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plus or minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plus%20or%20minus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

plus or minus

adjective
: indicating a quantity whose positive and negative values establish the limits of a range of values
measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 1 gram
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