way less

USAGE SUMMARY

"way less" is a valid phrase in written English.
It can be used in informal contexts to emphasize how much lower one number is than another. For example, "I'm making way less than I expected this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only way less funny.

The Guardian - Film

You'll see way less skating days".

The New York Times - Sports

The learning curve is way less.

The New York Times - Sports

It can also be way less expensive.

The Guardian

Way less than half a million, it turned out.

The New Yorker

You need way less confetti than you think".

The New York Times

'Farming is in a way less difficult than factory life.

The Guardian

Also far lower profile and way less profitable".

The Economist

You can get this at Uniqlo for way less".

The New York Times

Electronic records are "way less controlled, way less scientifically designed" than the information-gathering techniques used in huge trials, Dr. Altman said.

The New York Times - Health

It is way less than occurred during the period 2000 to 2010," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "way less" in informal communication when emphasizing a notable reduction, but opt for "significantly less" or "much less" in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "way less" in academic papers or professional reports; it can sound too casual. Choose a more formal alternative like "substantially less" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "way less" functions as an intensifier modifying a comparative adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the degree to which one thing is smaller, fewer, or of a lower quantity than another. For instance, 'It's "way less" expensive'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "way less" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to emphasize a significant difference in quantity or degree. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its informal nature makes it suitable for casual communication but less appropriate for formal writing. When choosing an alternative, consider the context and desired level of formality, opting for phrases like "significantly less" or "much less" in professional settings. While "way less" is prevalent in news and media, remember to adjust your language to suit your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much less

A more general and common alternative to "way less".

far less

Similar to "way less", but slightly more formal.

significantly less

Emphasizes a considerable reduction in quantity.

substantially less

Similar to 'significantly less', highlighting a notable difference.

a good deal less

More emphatic and slightly more formal than "way less".

considerably less

Indicates a decrease that is worth paying attention to.

markedly less

Suggests a noticeable or evident reduction.

appreciably less

Implies that the reduction is large enough to be perceived or measured.

noticeably less

Highlights that the difference is easily observed.

somewhat less

Indicates a slight reduction, less emphatic than "way less".

FAQs

How can I use "way less" in a sentence?

You can use "way less" to emphasize a considerable difference or reduction, such as "This new car costs "way less" than my old one" or "I spend "way less" time commuting now that I work from home."

What's a more formal alternative to "way less"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "significantly less", "substantially less", or "considerably less" instead of "way less".

Is it grammatically correct to say "way less"?

Yes, the phrase "way less" is grammatically correct, especially in informal contexts. However, its casual tone makes it unsuitable for formal writing.

How does the meaning of "way less" compare to "slightly less"?

"Way less" implies a significant reduction, whereas "slightly less" suggests a minor difference. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey. For minor differences use alternatives such as somewhat less