than
♦♦♦ than /ðən, STRONG ðæn/
1 [PREP] compar PREP group
You use than after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to link two parts of a comparison.
The radio only weighs a few ounces and is smaller than a cigarette packet...
Indian skins age far more slowly than American or Italian ones.
[CONJ] compar CONJ cl
Than is also a conjunction.
He wished he could have helped her more than he did...
Sometimes patients are more depressed six months later than when they first hear the bad news.
2 [PREP] more/less PREP n
You use than when you are stating a number, quantity, or value approximately by saying that it is above or below another number, quantity, or value.
They talked on the phone for more than an hour.
...the three-match Test series in England, starting in less than two months time...
3 [CONJ]
You use than in order to link two parts of a contrast, for example in order to state a preference.
The arrangement was more a formality than a genuine partnership of two nations...
4
less than: see less
more than: see more
more often than not: see often
other than: see other
rather than: see rather
1 [PREP] compar PREP group
You use than after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to link two parts of a comparison.
The radio only weighs a few ounces and is smaller than a cigarette packet...
Indian skins age far more slowly than American or Italian ones.
[CONJ] compar CONJ cl
Than is also a conjunction.
He wished he could have helped her more than he did...
Sometimes patients are more depressed six months later than when they first hear the bad news.
2 [PREP] more/less PREP n
You use than when you are stating a number, quantity, or value approximately by saying that it is above or below another number, quantity, or value.
They talked on the phone for more than an hour.
...the three-match Test series in England, starting in less than two months time...
3 [CONJ]
You use than in order to link two parts of a contrast, for example in order to state a preference.
The arrangement was more a formality than a genuine partnership of two nations...
4
less than: see less
more than: see more
more often than not: see often
other than: see other
rather than: see rather