minus sign

minus sign — noun

1. The symbol (−) used in arithmetic and other areas of mathematics to show that on

1.nounA2
Definition

The symbol (−) used in arithmetic and other areas of mathematics to show that one number is taken away from another, or to indicate that a number is less than zero.

Example

In the sum 25 − 10 = 15, the minus sign tells you to subtract ten from twenty-five.

shows subtraction between two numbers in an equation

Hamza checked the weather app and saw a minus sign before the number onscreen.

indicates a temperature below zero

Common collocations
  • minus sign before
  • minus sign between
  • write a minus sign
  • use a minus sign
  • minus sign indicates
Synonyms
  • negative sign

    Used specifically when the symbol appears before a negative number (e.g., −5); less common for subtraction contexts.

  • subtraction sign

    An informal name that emphasises the symbol's role in subtraction rather than its use with negative quantities.

Antonyms
  • plus sign

    The symbol (+) used for addition or to indicate a positive quantity.

Grammar Patterns

the minus sign

Usage Note

Do not confuse the minus sign (−) with a hyphen (-) or an en dash (–). The minus sign is longer than a hyphen and is centred vertically, while the hyphen sits on the baseline.

Common Mistakes

I used a minus sign to connect the two words in the compound adjective.
I used a hyphen to connect the two words in the compound adjective.
A hyphen (-) joins words; a minus sign (−) is a mathematical symbol.
The store gave me a minus sign of twenty percent.
The store gave me a discount of twenty percent.
'Minus sign' refers to the written symbol (−), not to a reduction in price.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These terms are often confused by learners because the symbols look similar. A minus sign (−) is a mathematical symbol: its width matches the plus sign (+), and it sits at the same vertical height. A hyphen (-) is shorter and sits on the baseline — it joins words like 'well-known'. An en dash (–) is slightly longer than a hyphen and shows ranges ('pages 10–20'). 'Negative sign' and 'subtraction sign' are informal names for the minus sign used in specific contexts: 'negative sign' when the symbol shows a value below zero (e.g., −8°C), and 'subtraction sign' when it shows the operation of taking away (e.g., 9 − 3 = 6). In formal writing, only 'minus sign' is standard for both uses.

minus sign ↗negative signsubtraction signhyphen ↗dash ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • minus sign indicates
  • minus sign represents

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinGermanEnglish

The word 'minus' comes from Latin minus, meaning 'less'. The symbol (−) is thought to have originated from a mark placed beside quantities to show a deficit. The first known printed use of the minus sign in a mathematics textbook was by the German mathematician Johannes Widmann in 1489, where it appeared alongside the plus sign (+) in a book on commercial arithmetic.

First known use

1820

1820, in the meaning defined above