More or less means almost or approximately. In the first meaning, it softens a statement: the work is almost done, two people's tastes are almost the same. In the second, it goes next to a number and shows that the number is approximate: three hours, more or less.
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more or less + adjective/verb (more or less finished); more or less the same; number + , more or less
- The report is more or less finished; I just need to check the charts.
- The flight takes three hours, more or less, depending on the wind.
- My sister and I have more or less the same taste in music.
What changed
First versionMy first week at the new job was more or less. The people are nice, but the work is boring.
RevisionMy first week at the new job was so-so. The people are nice, but the work is boring.
More or less can look like a way to say “so-so, just OK”. But it isn't an evaluation: it modifies another word, such as finished or the same, and doesn't stand on its own after was. For “not great, not bad”, use so-so.
More or less works as a short answer only to a yes/no question: Did you understand the lecture? — More or less. This means “mostly, I understood nearly everything”. It isn't an answer to How was the lecture?: that question expects an opinion, such as so-so or not bad.
Your turn
The renovation is ___ finished: only the kitchen tiles are left.
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more or less — The renovation is almost finished, with only the kitchen tiles left, so more or less, meaning almost. So-so rates quality, “not very good”, and doesn't go before finished.
Write about something you've almost finished. Name the task and what's still left to do.
I've more or less packed for the trip; I only need to find my passport and phone charger.
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