Less vs Lower

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Less	Lower
Meaning	Not as much or not enough.	to make something less high or to decrease it
CEFR level	A2	B2
Part of speech		verb
Usage notes	Use 'less' with uncountable nouns (e.g., less water). It’s different from 'fewer,' which is for countable nouns (e.g., fewer apples).	Use 'lower' when referring to reducing something physically or metaphorically. It’s appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using it in overly formal writing.

Frequently asked questions: Less vs Lower

What's the difference between "Less" and "Lower"?

"Less" means: Not as much or not enough. "Lower" means: to make something less high or to decrease it

When should I use "Less" and "Lower"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Less" and "Lower" the same CEFR level?

"Less" is at A2, "Lower" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.